The Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever

On a busy weeknight when you just need something classic and hearty on the table that you know your family will love, recipes like this are the ones to turn to for cozy comfort food. The best meatloaf recipe comes together with minimal prep work and simple, budget-friendly ingredients like ground beef, most of which you likely already have in your kitchen right now.

One of my favorite things about serving up some all-American meatloaf is knowing that kids will actually eat it! When it comes to kid-friendly recipes, this easy meatloaf recipe always gets the job done. It’s simple, filling, and a great way to sneak protein onto even the pickiest eater’s plate. We love it so much we made an Easy Crockpot Meatloaf to get dinner on the table when we can’t be home all day.

Simple Ingredients You Will Need

• Meat – I used a combination of lean ground beef, like an 80/20 ground beef, and sausage. The sausage lends extra flavor and keeps it juicy. If you don’t like the flavor of sausage you can substitute it with ground pork.
• Onion – I opt for a sweet onion here but you can use a regular yellow onion.
• Garlic – Sautéed with the onion, this adds other level flavor. Feel free to add more garlic if you’re a fan.
• Eggs – Make sure they’re room temperature and lightly whisked before adding to your meat mixture.
• Breadcrumbs – I like to use Panko breadcrumbs for a lighter less dense meatloaf. They give your meatloaf the best texture.
• Tomato Paste – Caramelized slightly with the vegetables, tomato paste adds a rich depth of flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce – A must have for the extra meaty flavor, you can substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce or fish sauce.
• Seasoning – Italian Seasoning, kosher Salt and black pepper are all you need. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika for extra flavor, if you prefer. I suggest using 1/2 teaspoon each.
• Meatloaf Sauce – To make the meatloaf glaze you’ll need brown sugar, ketchup and apple cider vinegar. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.

For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.

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How to Make the Best Meatloaf

Follow these quick and simple steps to make a classic meatloaf with my tangy glaze. Scroll to the bottom of this post for more detailed instructions!

1. Mix. Combine the ground beef, sausage, onions, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and meatloaf seasoning in a large bowl. Mix until just combined.
2. Make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the glaze until smooth.
3. Form the meatloaf. Shape the ground meat mixture into a loaf shape in a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Spoon about half of the glaze all over the meatloaf, then brush it to make sure it fully covers the entire surface area. (Alternatively, you can cook the meatloaf in a loaf pan but we prefer to use a baking dish so the sides get browned, too.)
4. Bake. Bake the meatloaf at 350°F for about an hour and a half or until the internal temperature reaches 160˚F on an instant read thermometer.
5. Let it cool. It’s going to be HOT when it comes out of the oven! Let it cool for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving to ensure a juicy meatloaf.

Serve the meat loaf cut into individual slices on top of mashed potatoes.

If you don’t want to make the glaze, you can top your meatloaf with your favorite bbq sauce.

Tips for the Making the best Meatloaf

Here are just a few tips and tricks to help you make this meaty masterpiece:

• Use homemade ketchup. It’s so much easier to whip up than you may think and really lends the best flavor to the glaze! Check out my favorite recipe for homemade ketchup for more info.
• Don’t over-mix. When making the meatloaf mixture, it’s important to just mix all of the ingredients together until combined. If you over-mix it, the meatloaf will become very tough once it’s baked.
• Check the temperature. The most effective way to make sure your meatloaf is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Inserted into the thickest part of the meatloaf, the thermometer should read 160°F when the meatloaf is fully cooked.

How to Store Leftovers

Once your meatloaf has fully cooled to room temperature, you can store any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Feel free to reheat in the microwave or right back in the oven until warmed through.

Leftover meatloaf is fabulous the next day in our favorite Meatloaf Sandwich!

You can even freeze meatloaf in individual portions for an easy dinner during the week. The smaller size reduces the cooking time and you can freeze uncooked meatloaf, too, for quick meal prep.

How to Make Meatloaf in Advance

For an easy dinner, you can assemble this homemade meatloaf recipe in advance. Wrap the meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap and then wrap in aluminum foil or transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze the uncooked meatloaf for up to 3 months.

Bake the meatloaf from frozen as directed for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160˚F on a meat thermometer.

Best Sides for Meatloaf

There are SO MANY sides that pair well with meatloaf! Some of my favorites include creamy mashed potatoes with some homemade brown gravy, oven roasted baby potatoes or something fresher like simple steamed broccoli. Or try Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe, they’re creamy and dreamy.

• Roasted Green Beans
• Homemade Steak Fries Recipe
• Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Check out more of my easy family dinners!

• Easy Chicken Pot Pie
• Easy Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
• Crockpot Mac and Cheese
• Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet
• Mini Meatloaf Muffins
• Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf