This homemade Meatloaf is incredibly juicy, packed with flavor, and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully. It’s the ultimate comfort food – easy to make and satisfying.
Everyone needs a great meatloaf recipe that they can count on, and this one delivers every time. Follow my tips below for the most flavorful, moist, and tender meatloaf you’ll ever make.
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Meatloaf Recipe
The first time I told my kids we’d be having meatloaf for dinner, their facial expressions were hilarious – I guess they had seen too many tv shows poking fun at meatloaf as being dry or boring, but they quickly changed their tunes when they tried my meatloaf! Now, my whole family gets excited when meatloaf is on the menu. It’s no wonder this meatloaf has been so popular on my blog for years.
Ground beef mixed with onion, Panko breadcrumbs, milk, fresh parsley, and seasonings produces an irresistibly tender and juicy meatloaf, and this recipe has the best sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes in the oven and adds amazing flavor to every bite.
My family loves Meatloaf paired with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and a side of Baked Asparagus, or Roasted Broccoli, but it pairs well with just about anything.
Helpful Reader Reviews
“A must try recipe. Truly the best one there is!!! Thank you for sharing. This is one of my go to comfort meals and great for meal prepping.” – Sadie ★★★★★
“Hands down the best meatloaf recipe! I have made this recipe for my family several times and always a hit! Even my 90 year old father asked me for this recipe – said he had never tasted anything so good!!” – Darla ★★★★★
Ingredients for Meatloaf
- Lean Ground Beef – use 80% or 85% lean meat. Just like with making Hamburgers, the fat content will make the meatloaf moist and juicy. Avoid super lean ground beef. You could also substitute half of the ground beef with turkey, pork, or Italian sausage.
- Onions and Garlic – aromatics that add flavor to the meatloaf
- Breadcrumbs and Eggs – act as binders to hold the meatloaf together. You could substitute panko breadcrumbs with Italian breadcrumbs or even gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Ketchup – adds flavor and tenderizes the ground beef. You could substitute with 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce if needed.
- Milk – Hydrates the bread crumbs to add moisture and also helps tenderize the beef for a softer and juicier meatloaf.
- Seasonings – Fresh parsley adds freshness to the meatloaf. The Italian seasoning, salt and pepper enhance the natural flavors of the beef.
- For the Glaze – combining ketchup, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder and onion powder create a sweet and tangy glaze. In a pinch, you can substitute it with your favorite BBQ Sauce.
How to Make Meatloaf
I used to make meatloaf in a loaf pan (which works fine, and I included instructions on that below), but baking it on a baking sheet has been a game-changer! It creates crispy edges, cooks faster, makes serving a breeze, and there’s more room for the sauce, which is honestly everyone’s favorite part.
- Prep – Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup, and preheat oven to 350°F.
- Sautee Onion -in a bit of oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and golden. Transfer it to a plate and set aside to cool slightly.
Make the Meatloaf Mixture – In a large bowl, add all of the meatloaf ingredients and mix just until well combined (your hands are your best tool for mixing – put on disposable gloves if you want to).
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