Here’s a classic, juicy Meatloaf recipe—simple, comforting, and always a hit 🍽️
🍖 Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 works best)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Topping:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven
- 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Make the meat mixture
- In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk; let soak 1–2 minutes.
- Add ground beef, onion, garlic, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Shape & top
- Shape into a loaf in the pan or on the baking sheet.
- Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard; spread evenly on top.
- Bake
- Bake 55–65 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or mac and cheese.
💡 Tips
- Use a mix of beef and pork for extra moisture.
- Add 1/4 cup grated carrot or zucchini to keep it juicy.
- Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day.
If you’d like, I can also give you a slow cooker meatloaf, a BBQ-glazed version, or a mini meatloaf muffin-pan version.
