The idea of meatloaf type of makes me increase an eyebrow as a result of, properly, it’s a loaf of meat. However when it’s executed properly it’s simply so good. This simple meatloaf is so filling, so cozy, and so scrumptious that I sit up for consuming the leftovers over the subsequent few days (howdy meatloaf sandwich, I’m you). This simple meatloaf recipe is the normal selfmade meatloaf that everyone knows and love—tender, juicy, filled with taste, and with the superbly tangy tomato glaze on prime. It’s so excellent when paired with mashed potatoes and inexperienced beans. Like a plate of pure consolation!
All recipes are rigorously examined in our Nashville Check Kitchen to make sure they’re simple, reasonably priced, and scrumptious.
“Made precisely per recipe. Was juicy and delish. My husband stated this was the perfect meatloaf i’ve finished, but. Thanks!”
Madeline
There is no such thing as a consolation meals like my well-known meatloaf recipe. With virtually 200 5-star critiques, it’s considered one of my favourite recipes on Finances Bytes. It’s a winner each time, and examined (and examined and examined) to ensure it’s fully fool-proof.
This selfmade meatloaf recipe is tremendous easy, but extremely good. Listed below are the components you’ll want:
- Floor Beef: Floor beef is the bottom for this recipe and I recommend utilizing 80/20 (20% fats) floor beef. The fats offers taste and retains all the things moist.
- Onion: Onions add a splendidly refined savory taste.
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs take in moisture from the bottom beef, milk, and eggs because it bakes, preserving the loaf tremendous tender and moist.
- Milk: Milk provides moisture and taste to the meatloaf.
- Egg: Egg acts as a binder so it doesn’t disintegrate when sliced, plus it provides taste, moisture, and richness.
- Seasoning: I season this simple meatloaf merely with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It’s simply sufficient seasoning so as to add taste with out overpowering the pure beef taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is utilized in each the meatloaf and the glaze or meatloaf sauce. It presents a deliciously savory umami taste with only a trace of sweetness.
- Ketchup: Ketchup is the bottom for the candy and tangy glaze that goes on prime of the loaf.
- Brown Sugar: I add a bit brown sugar to assist steadiness the ketchup’s acidity and provides the meatloaf sauce its fantastically shiny end.
- Yellow Mustard: Mustard provides depth and savory taste to the glaze.
The Secret to Good Meatloaf
Milk. The key to good meatloaf is milk. It sounds bizarre, but it surely makes a HUGE distinction. Milk hydrates the breadcrumbs which might be used as a binder, which retains the loaf tremendous moist and tender.
Through the testing part for this recipe, I made one with out the milk simply to see if actually made a distinction and I’m right here to say that the distinction was ENORMOUS. The meatloaf with out milk was dense, a bit powerful, and notably drier than the meatloaf made with milk. So don’t skip it! P.S. I’m positive that non-dairy milk would have the identical impact.
Loaf Pan or Baking Sheet?
There are two camps with regards to meatloaf: baking in a loaf pan or on a baking sheet. I’m workforce baking sheet, however I believe in the end it’s going to boil down to non-public choice. I discover that loaf pans don’t permit for fairly sufficient evaporation so the underside can get a bit soupy. Baking sheets permit for a bit extra evaporation, leaving the meatloaf completely juicy and flavorful.
But when shaping is troublesome for you otherwise you need these excellent sq. edges, you would possibly want a loaf pan.
“I’ve been making meatloaf for years however determined to attempt yours yesterday. Omg! I’m by no means wanting again!!! It was moist, juicy and I acquired so many compliments at a good friend’s giving for my son. I added the milk so unsure if that did the trick however greatest meatloaf I made by far!”
Heba A.
Learn how to Hold It from Falling Aside
There are a few methods to creating a meatloaf that holds collectively in good slices. Listed below are a couple of of my tried and examined ideas:
- Use a recipe that has the correct quantity of binders (egg and breadcrumbs). That is basically the glue that holds the meat collectively.
- Use floor beef with a finer grind, or that has been double floor. Actually coarse floor beef gained’t combine as totally with the binders and should crumble when sliced.
- Mince the onion as finely as potential. I discover that enormous chunks of onion stop the loaf from holding collectively as properly.
Basic Meatloaf
This simple meatloaf recipe is rather like the normal meatloaf grandma used to make. Tender and juicy with the right tomato glaze!
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Meatloaf
- 1 massive egg ($0.33)
- 1/3 cup milk ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce ($0.02)
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs ($0.32)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning ($0.17)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
- 1 tsp salt ($0.01)
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.05)
- 1/2 cup minced onion ($0.22)
- 1.5 lbs. floor beef (80/20) ($5.91)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup ($0.24)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.03)
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce ($0.05)
- 1 tsp yellow mustard ($0.01)
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a small bowl whisk collectively the egg, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. In a separate small bowl, stir collectively the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mince the onion.
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Add the bottom beef, egg combination, breadcrumb combination, and minced onion to a big bowl. Use your arms to combine the components collectively till evenly mixed. Keep away from over mixing.
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Place the meatloaf combination on a rimmed baking dish and form it right into a loaf that’s roughly 4-inches vast, 8-inches lengthy, and 2-inches tall.
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In a separate small bowl, stir collectively the glaze components (ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard). Unfold the glaze evenly excessive and sides of the meatloaf.
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Bake the meatloaf for 50-55 minutes, or till the inner temperature reaches 165ºF. Enable the meatloaf to relaxation for 5-10 minutes after baking, then slice and serve.
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Meat Thermometer
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Small Roasting Pan
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Measuring Cups Spoons
Serving: 1sliceEnergy: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 19gFats: 21gSodium: 676mgFiber: 1g
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Learn how to Make Meatloaf – Step by Step Images
Collect your whole components.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Begin by pre-mixing a number of the components so there can be much less mixing required for the meat (overmixing the meat could make it powerful). In a small bowl, whisk collectively ⅓ cup milk, one massive egg, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. In a separate bowl, stir collectively ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Mince a few ½ cup onion. Make certain to cut or mince the onion as finely as potential. Chunky onion could make the meatloaf disintegrate extra simply.
Add the milk combination, breadcrumb combination, and minced onion to 1.5 lbs. floor beef (80/20). Combine along with your arms till all the things is evenly mixed. Keep away from overmixing.
Place the meat combination on a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish and form it right into a loaf that’s roughly 8″ lengthy, 4″ vast, and a pair of″ tall.
Subsequent, mix the components for the glaze or meatloaf sauce. Stir collectively ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
Unfold the glaze excessive and sides of the meatloaf.
Bake the loaf within the preheated 350ºF oven for 50-55 minutes, or till the inner temperature reaches 165ºF. Let the it relaxation for about 10 minutes earlier than slicing and serving.
Our well-known Meatloaf recipe was initially revealed 9/27/21. We have now up to date it to be the perfect it may be and republished 2/6/25.
