Southern Meatloaf

Here’s a classic Southern meatloaf—tender, flavorful, and topped with that sweet, tangy glaze most Southern homes swear by.

Southern Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1½ lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
• 1 cup crushed saltine crackers or breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional but Southern)
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Glaze

• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line a sheet pan with foil.
2. Mix meatloaf
   • In a large bowl, combine beef, crackers, onion, bell pepper, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire.
   • Mix gently—don’t overwork or it’ll be dense.
3. Shape
   • Place mixture into loaf pan or shape into a loaf on the sheet pan.
4. Make glaze
   • Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
   • Spread half over the meatloaf.
5. Bake
   • Bake 45 minutes.
   • Remove, spread remaining glaze on top.
   • Return to oven and bake 15–20 minutes more, until cooked through.
6. Rest & serve
   • Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

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Southern Serving Suggestions

• Mashed potatoes & gravy
• Green beans or buttered corn
• Mac and cheese
• Biscuits or cornbread

Grandma-Style Tips

• Add a splash of milk or broth if mixture feels dry
• For extra flavor, mix in ½ cup shredded cheddar
• Leftovers make the best sandwiches the next day

If you want, I can share a Southern tomato gravy meatloaf, cracker-free version, or slow-cooker meatloaf.

Here’s a classic Southern meatloaf—tender, flavorful, and topped with that sweet, tangy glaze most Southern homes swear by.

Southern Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1½ lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
• 1 cup crushed saltine crackers or breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional but Southern)
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Glaze

• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line a sheet pan with foil.
2. Mix meatloaf
   • In a large bowl, combine beef, crackers, onion, bell pepper, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire.
   • Mix gently—don’t overwork or it’ll be dense.
3. Shape
   • Place mixture into loaf pan or shape into a loaf on the sheet pan.
4. Make glaze
   • Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
   • Spread half over the meatloaf.
5. Bake
   • Bake 45 minutes.
   • Remove, spread remaining glaze on top.
   • Return to oven and bake 15–20 minutes more, until cooked through.
6. Rest & serve
   • Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

---

Southern Serving Suggestions

• Mashed potatoes & gravy
• Green beans or buttered corn
• Mac and cheese
• Biscuits or cornbread

Grandma-Style Tips

• Add a splash of milk or broth if mixture feels dry
• For extra flavor, mix in ½ cup shredded cheddar
• Leftovers make the best sandwiches the next day

If you want, I can share a Southern tomato gravy meatloaf, cracker-free version, or slow-cooker meatloaf.