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Mom's Classic Beef Meatloaf

This classic beef meatloaf recipe just feels cozy like home. Packed full of flavor, this meatloaf is super easy to make. Topped with a quick ketchup-based sauce, this traditional style recipe makes the best ground beef meatloaf. It will be a hit in your family too.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 278 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the meatloaf:
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt plus a pinch for the onions
  • 3 slices bread This will make about 1 cup of crumbs
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup parsley I used dried
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic 
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
For the sauce:
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 

Instructions

Prepare the meatloaf
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the loaf pan well with cooking oil.
  2. Place a small fry pan over medium heat and spray with cooking oil. Add diced onions and a pinch of salt. Sautee over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until the onions begin to brown then remove from the heat.
  3. Toast the bread in a toaster until they are a light brown. With a sharp knife, dice up the bread into the smallest pieces you can. When finished you should have about a cup of breadcrumbs.
  4. In a large mixing bowl add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley. Add the diced bread, parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dijon mustard, ketchup and the cooked onions all to the bowl with the meat then set to the side.
  5. In a separate small bowl, crack the eggs discarding the shells. Add the milk to the eggs, then beat the mixture with a whisk or fork until the yolks are well mixed. Add the egg mixture to the bowl with the meat mixture.
  6. Mix the meatloaf with your hands until combined. Try to mix until everything is just combined then stop. Overmixing can cause the meatloaf to be tougher.
  7. Put the meatloaf mixture in the pan and form into a loaf.
Make the sauce
  1. In a small bowl place 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Mix well with a spoon to make a smooth sauce.
  2. With a silicone brush or a spoon, spread half of the sauce on top of the meatloaf.
Bake the meatloaf
  1. Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes.
  2. Pull the meatloaf from the oven and put the second half of sauce on the top.
  3. Bake the meatloaf for an additional 45 minutes. Check the inside with a meat thermometer. The meatloaf is finished when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Let the meatloaf rest for at least 5 minutes. Then slice and serve!

Notes

  • Adding a little oil to your hands right before you start mixing the meatloaf can help it to stay juicier. Your hands actually absorb some moisture away from the meatloaf as you mix. It's still easiest to mix with your hands. Mixing with a spoon or a spatula can sometimes mean you accidnetly overmix the meatloaf which can also cause it to be drier.
  • Resting the meatloaf before cutting and letting the meatloaf sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing can help keep it juicy. If you cut into the meatloaf right away the juices rush out too soon and can make the meatloaf drier.

Nutrition Information

Calories 278kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 123mg (41%) Sodium 771mg (32%) Potassium 585mg (17%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 392IU (8%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 143mg (14%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 278

% Daily Value*

Calories 278kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 123mg 41%
Sodium 771mg 32%
Potassium 585mg 12%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 392IU 8%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 143mg 14%
Iron 4mg 22%

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