Main Dishes

Classic Meatloaf

Classic Meatloaf is one of those comfort recipes that never gets old. It’s super juicy and flavorful with a ketchup/brown

  • Serves 8 servings
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 1 hour
  • Total 1 hour

ground beef

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Classic Meatloaf

I also love it with this Super Creamy Mac and Cheese!

Make Ahead Recipe

Classic Meatloaf is wonderful for a weeknight meal. It’s quick and easy to mix together and can be assembled ahead of time and then baked or it can be baked, refrigerated and then reheated for supper.

Classic Meatloaf- a weeknight favorite family meal.

This Classic Meatloaf is flavored with plenty of onion, green pepper, basil, and a little dried thyme and hot sauce.

Type Of Ground Beef To Use

It’s best to use a ground beef that isn’t too low in fat or too high in fat. I like to use a 90%/10% ground beef.

Classic Meatloaf- a family favorite weeknight meal.

Recipe Tips

I like to bake my meatloaf in a 9×5-inch pan. A great tip is to place 2 pieces of bread in the bottom of the pan to soak up excess grease and oil. Then you can scrape the oil-soaked bread off the bottom just before serving.

Be careful not to overmix the meatloaf mixture. Overmixing will result in a tough texture.

Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef.

Classic Meatloaf- a family favorite weeknight meal.

Meatloaf is one of my favorite southern comfort foods. Be sure to try this Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Meatloaf and Italian Meatloaf.

Storage

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. They make an excellent meatloaf sandwich.

Classic Meatloaf- a family favorite weeknight meal.

More Comfort Food Recipes

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More Comfort Food Recipes

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy

Chicken Fried Steak

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Recipe

Classic Meatloaf

Classic Meatloaf is super juicy and flavorful with a ketchup/brown sugar glaze on top. Always a family favorite!

  • Serves 8 servings
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 1 hour
  • Total 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium sweet onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 green pepper (chopped)
  • 4 slices bread (divided)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 pounds ground beef (90% lean)
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 to 4 shakes hot sauce ((I use Tabasco))

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. 2

    In a nonstick pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and green pepper and cook until soft.

  3. 3

    Season onion and pepper with salt and pepper and let cool.

  4. 4

    Tear 2 pieces of bread into small pieces and combine in a small bowl with the milk.

  5. 5

    Grease a 9×5-inch pan and place the remaining 2 pieces of bread in the bottom of the pan. You can use the end pieces of bread for this. The bread will soak up most of the grease and can be discarded after cooking.

  6. 6

    In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, seasoned salt, pepper, basil, thyme, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.

  7. 7

    Add bread soaked in milk and cooled onions and peppers.

  8. 8

    Gently mix everything until evenly combined, being careful not to overmix.

  9. 9

    Transfer mixture to prepared pan and gently pat it down so that it is even along the top.

  10. 10

    To make glaze, mix together ingredients in a small bowl. Spread on top of uncooked meatloaf.

  11. 11

    Place in oven for 60 to 70 minutes.

  12. 12

    Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Scrape bread slices off bottom and discard. They are just there to soak up excess grease.

Notes

Leftovers will keep for 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Equipment

  • 9×5-inch loaf pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Nutrition

  • Calories407 kcal
  • Carbohydrates18 g
  • Protein24 g
  • Fat27 g
  • Saturated Fat10 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat11 g
  • Trans Fat1 g
  • Cholesterol128 mg
  • Sodium867 mg
  • Potassium499 mg
  • Fiber1 g
  • Sugar9 g
  • Vitamin A290 IU
  • Vitamin C8 mg
  • Calcium88 mg
  • Iron3 mg