Best Ever Meatloaf

I love this meatloaf recipe!

This meatloaf recipe is fantastic and designed to impress even the pickiest eaters. It’s bursting with flavor, moist and tender yet perfectly sliceable. Topped with a sticky caramelized glaze, it’s far from your average loaf of ground beef. I found this gem from AC’s mother and sister over at see.try.eat.

But there’s more! Not only is it economical and quick to prepare, but it’s also a timeless family favorite. It’s just as delicious the next day when turned into mouthwatering sandwiches.

This recipe elevates the classic dish to a whole new level. The secret? Lean beef (90/10)—there’s nothing more off-putting than meatloaf swimming in grease—plenty of flavorings, and a combination of finely chopped and grated onion, bread and milk for texture and taste.

And let’s not forget about that irresistible glaze—it not only adds flavor but also hides any cracks on the surface, making for a picture-perfect presentation.

While mashed potatoes and gravy with peas or corn are traditional accompaniments, today I opted for a twist. In honor of my husband’s special birthday week, I thawed some homemade macaroni and cheese from our freezer stash, pairing it with crisp, fresh green beans. It’s comfort food at its finest—simple, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying.

This recipe is perfectly sized for my 8×8 brownie pan, ideal for us empty nesters. It serves us just right and leaves us with tasty leftovers without overcrowding the fridge or freezer with extra leftover-leftovers for later enjoyment. It’s just what we need!

Robin Ward

Best Ever Meatloaf

This best ever meatloaf recipe lives up to its name and is my favorite I have found. Try it and you will see.

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Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup milk
• 4 slices bread, torn into bits
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• ¼ cup grated onion (Option just to use all chopped or all grated onion.)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (Do not use pre-shredded.)
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1½-2 lbs lean ground beef (I used 90/10)

Meatloaf Topping:

• ¾ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ tsp dry mustard
• ¼ tsp allspice

Equipment

• 1 8×8 pan (A 9×5 loaf pan has the equivalent capacity.)

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350℉
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and milk together. Add the torn bread, mix well, and let it stand until the liquid is absorbed. Mix in the onion, cheese, and seasonings. Finally, crumble the beef over the mixture and combine thoroughly.
3. In an 8×8" greased baking dish, spread meat mixture out across dish. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
4. Combine ingredients to make the topping.
5. After baking the meatloaf for 45 minutes, spoon half of the topping mixture over it. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink and a thermometer reads 160°F. During this cooking time, continue to brush the sauce onto the meatloaf for added flavor and moisture.
6. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Did you make this delicious meatloaf? Let me know how it went for you in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you!