🥩🍞 Homemade Meatloaf (Classic Comfort Style)
A tender, juicy meatloaf with a slightly sweet, tangy glaze on top—easy to slice and perfect with mashed potatoes or vegetables.
🧾 Ingredients (6 servings)
Meatloaf base
- 1½ lb (700g) ground beef (80/20 works best)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp ketchup (or tomato paste)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Optional: ½ tsp paprika or chili flakes
Glaze (top sauce)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp mustard (optional for tang)
👨‍🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven
- Set oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking tray.
2. Mix the meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine:
ground beef, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and seasoning. - Mix gently with hands or spoon—don’t overmix (keeps it tender).
3. Shape
- Form into a loaf shape in the pan (or free-form on a tray).
- Smooth the top lightly.
4. Make the glaze
- Mix ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
- Spread half over the top of the meatloaf.
5. Bake
- Bake for 45–60 minutes.
- At 30–35 minutes, add remaining glaze on top.
- Cook until internal temp reaches 70°C (160°F).
6. Rest & serve
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing (important for juiciness).
- Slice and serve warm.
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Mashed potatoes + gravy
- Steamed green beans or carrots
- Rice or buttered noodles
- Sandwich leftovers the next day (very popular)
đź’ˇ Tips for best meatloaf
- Don’t overmix—this is the #1 mistake.
- Milk + breadcrumbs keep it soft and moist.
- Let it rest before cutting so it doesn’t fall apart.
- Add a little grated cheese inside for extra richness (optional).
🔥 Variations
- Cheese-stuffed meatloaf (mozzarella or cheddar center)
- BBQ meatloaf (swap glaze for BBQ sauce)
- Spicy version (add chili flakes + hot sauce)
- Turkey meatloaf (lighter version)
If you want, I can also give you a juicy restaurant-style meatloaf, a low-carb keto version, or a fast 30-minute mini meatloaf recipe.
