🍖 Freshly Baked Meatloaf (Juicy, Tender & Classic)
A comforting oven-baked meatloaf with a flavorful, moist interior and a slightly caramelized glaze on top.
🧾 Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
- 500g minced beef (or mix beef + lamb)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika or chili powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional but great for flavor)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
For the glaze:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp mustard (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Mix the meatloaf
- In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk first (let it soak 2 minutes)
- Add minced meat, onion, garlic, egg, ketchup, and spices
- Mix gently—don’t overwork or it becomes dense
2. Shape
- Form into a loaf shape on a baking tray or in a loaf pan
- Smooth the top slightly
3. Add glaze
- Mix glaze ingredients and spread over the top evenly
4. Bake
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45–60 minutes
- Check internal doneness (no pink in center; juices should run clear)
5. Rest
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing (keeps it juicy)
🔥 Tips for juicy meatloaf
- Don’t skip milk + breadcrumbs → keeps it soft
- Mix lightly (overmixing makes it tough)
- Add grated carrot or zucchini for extra moisture
- Let it rest before cutting or it may fall apart
🍽️ Serving ideas
- With mashed potatoes and gravy
- In a sandwich with cheese
- With roasted vegetables or salad
- With garlic bread or rice
If you want, I can also give you a cheese-stuffed meatloaf, air fryer mini meatloaf muffins, or a BBQ smoky version.
