Classic Beef Meatloaf

User Reviews

4.8

48 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr

  • Total Time

    1 hr 15 mins

  • Servings

    6 servings

  • Calories

    554 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Classic Beef Meatloaf

If you're looking for the BEST old-fashioned classic beef meatloaf I have you covered with this family favorite recipe. It's packed full of flavor and topped with a lightly sweetened ketchup mixture. Trust me, you'll love this simple meatloaf recipe!

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Ingredients

Servings

For meatloaf:

  • 2 pounds ground beef 85/15
  • 4 slices white bread cut into small cubes
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • ¼ cup finely chopped celery
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For meatloaf topping:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
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Instructions

For meatloaf:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, set aside.
  2. In a large bowl add ground beef, cubed bread, eggs, milk, chopped onion, chopped celery, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, poultry seasoning, and black pepper.
  3. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Because the meat is cold I usually have to take a few breaks to warm my hands up while mixing. You can also use a silicone spatula BUT I think it gets better mixed by hand.
  4. Once your meat is mixed place it on the baking sheet and form into a loaf. I usually make my loaf about 6 inches wide by 12 inches long.
  5. Add to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
  6. After an hour of baking remove the meatloaf, top with ketchup mixture, and place back into the oven.
  7. Cook for 15 minutes or until the meatloaf is fully cooked (it should feel firm) and the ketchup mixture on the top has started to bubble. Internally, the meatloaf should reach 160 degrees F.
  8. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, slice, and enjoy.
  9. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

For meatloaf topping:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, corn syrup, and brown sugar until smooth and combined.

Notes

  • If you don't want to use light corn syrup in the ketchup mixture, add more brown sugar or leave it out altogether. How sweet you like your ketchup mixture can vary from person to person.
  • I like to use 85/15 or 90/10 for my meatloaf. It would be best to have some fat so the meatloaf does not dry out while baking. 80/20 makes a good meatloaf, too, but it will give off more fat.
  • I like to line my baking sheet with foil as it's much easier to clean up. The foil will catch all the fat from the meatloaf while baking.
  • Dried poultry seasoning typically consists of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, nutmeg, and black pepper.
  • I like to use simple sliced bread like Wonder Bread. If you're using much larger slices (think Pepperidge Farm style bread, which tends to be much larger than traditional bread), then you'll use three slices instead.
  • Meatloaf is fully cooked at 160 degrees F internally. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 554kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 31g (62%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 14g Trans Fat 2g Cholesterol 173mg (58%) Sodium 1013mg (42%) Potassium 661mg (19%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 21g (42%) Vitamin A 371IU (7%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 128mg (13%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 554 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 554kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 31g 62%
Fat 33g 51%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 2g 100%
Cholesterol 173mg 58%
Sodium 1013mg 42%
Potassium 661mg 14%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 21g 42%
Vitamin A 371IU 7%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 128mg 13%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.8

48 reviews
Excellent

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