Traditional Meatloaf

Recipe Ingredients

It’s hard to believe that so much goodness can come from just a handful of ingredients.     

Ground Beef: While some meatloaves contain ground pork or even veal, along with the beef, we think using just beef gives our meatloaf a heartier flavor.                                         

Onion: Chopped onion not only adds to the flavor, but also the texture.                                              

Italian Seasoning: We like the subtle flavor Italian seasoning brings to our meatloaf, but you could substitute sage and thyme for the seasoning blend.

Ketchup: It’s a pantry-friendly ingredient almost everybody loves, which is why we include it in this recipe. We’ve also tested it with BBQ sauce and have found it works well. 

Bread Crumbs, Eggs and Milk: These three ingredients, in this classic meatloaf recipe, work together as binders to hold the meatloaf together. They also give it a slightly softer, moister, more tender texture. 

Cookware You’ll Need

Our meatloaf recipe is so easy to pull together, you only need a few pieces of cookware, and maybe your own two hands.

Bowl: You’ll need a large bowl to combine the meatloaf ingredients. You can use a wooden spoon to do the mixing, but we’ve found that clean hands work just as well, if not better.

Loaf Pan: An 8x4-inch loaf pan is the perfect size for this recipe and gives the meatloaf its iconic shape.

Meat Thermometer: Using a meat thermometer provides confidence that your meatloaf is cooked to the correct temperature of 160°F.

How to Make Meatloaf

Time to dive right into this easy meatloaf recipe. The full steps are below, but first, an overview.

1. Prep the Onions and Egg

Luckily, there’s not a lot of advanced work to do. Just lightly beat the eggs and finely chop the onion.

2. Mix All Ingredients

Combine the beef, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, ketchup and milk together in a bowl. Combine well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.

3. Pack the Meat into the Pan and Bake

Use an ungreased loaf pan and firmly pack the meatloaf mixture inside. We found that firmly packing the meatloaf helps it retain its shape after baking.

4. Top with Ketchup

After an initial 40 minutes of baking, top the meatloaf with ketchup and continue baking until the flavors have melded and meatloaf reaches 160°F.

5. Plate and Serve

We like to let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes, to firm up slightly, before using a spatula to remove from the pan, slice and serve. 

Possible Variations

With a quick change or two to the meatloaf ingredients, you can give a new twist to this iconic comfort food classic.  

Mix Up the Sauce: A combination of equal parts ketchup and BBQ sauce plus a tablespoon of brown sugar is one of the most common variations. Or maybe add a little curry powder to your ketchup or a splash of savory Worcestershire sauce.

Substitute the Seasonings: Dried sage and thyme are two herbs that work well in place of the Italian seasoning. Just substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons of either the sage or thyme, or a combination of the two in this meatloaf recipe. TRinMS liked the results when they “skipped the plain bread crumbs and Italian seasoning and just used Panko Italian bread crumbs”.

For more inspiration, check out our other meatloaf recipes like our popular slow-cooker version.

Serving Meatloaf

Our meatloaf recipe is always the star of any plate, but it needs a dish or two on the side to round out the meal. Here are a few of our favorites.

Meat and potatoes are classic partners, so pairing our meatloaf with creamy scalloped potatoes is the perfect match. To make sure you get in your veggies, try our green bean casserole.

Storing and Reheating

Leftover meatloaf is like finding gold in your refrigerator. It’s so good to eat either cold, in a sandwich, or warm for a meal or just a quick snack.

Refrigerator  

Slice the meatloaf and store in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.

Freezer 

We don’t recommend freezing leftover meatloaf.

Reheating

• Oven: Place meatloaf slices in a baking pan and cover with foil. Heat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until hot.

• Microwave: Place on a microwave-safe plate and reheat in the microwave on high, in 30 second increments, until hot.

Why Betty Users Love This Recipe

So many reviewers have told us they think this is the best meatloaf recipe they’ve ever made, and we agree!  

Whether it’s how quick and simple it is to make, or how easy it is for users to make their own with the addition of ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, sautéed onions, and a variety of seasonings, this beloved comfort food has certainly become a go-to meal for many.

Nostalgia is a popular theme in many of the reviews. Users tell us how much this dish brings back fond memories and reminds them of their childhood family meals. DeborahLynne says, “This was absolutely delicious and tasted like my mom’s. It was a wonderful home-cooked meal”.

Others tell us what a hit this meatloaf recipe is with their own families, making it a staple in their meal rotation.