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A delicious homestyle meatloaf dinner served with sides.

Classic Homestyle Meatloaf Dinner

A classic, comforting meatloaf recipe that brings a taste of homestyle cooking to your dinner table. Made with a flavorful blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, and topped with a tangy glaze, this meatloaf is perfect for a satisfying family meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Loaf pan (9x5-inch)
  • Parchment paper (optional)
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf Mixture

  • 2 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean ground beef works best for flavor and moisture
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs plain or panko
  • 1/2 cup Milk whole milk or 2% for richness
  • 2 Eggs large
  • 1 Onion medium, finely chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup Ketchup for the loaf mixture
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

Meatloaf Glaze

  • 1/2 cup Ketchup for the Glaze
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar light or dark
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, 1/2 cup ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.

Mixing and Baking

  • Stir in the chopped onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, then add breadcrumbs and let it sit to absorb liquid.
  • Add a 2 lbs of ground beef to the bowl; gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix to prevent a tough meatloaf.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and gently press it into an even shape, or form it into a loaf directly on the baking sheet.
  • Bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes.
  • While the meatloaf bakes, whisk together 1/2 cup ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze.

Glaze and Finish

  • After 45 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven, spread the glaze evenly over the top, and return it to the oven for another 15-20 minutes or until it reaches 160°F (71°C) internally.
  • Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure a moist and flavorful result.

Notes

For best results, do not overmix the meatloaf mixture, as this can lead to a tough texture. Letting the meatloaf rest after baking is crucial for a moist and flavorful result.