Go Back
A traditional family meatloaf, perfectly baked and sliced on a serving platter.

Traditional Family Meatloaf

This classic meatloaf recipe delivers a comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for a family dinner. Made with a savory beef mixture and topped with a tangy glaze, it's a timeless dish that everyone will love.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Small bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking dish or sheet pan
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf Mixture

  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 mix
  • 1 medium Onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 0.5 Bell Pepper any color, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Panko or regular
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 0.25 cup Milk

Glaze

  • 0.75 cup Ketchup divided for glaze
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar

Seasoning

  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Dried Herbs such as oregano, thyme, or Italian blend
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Sauté diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic in olive oil until soft and fragrant, then set aside to cool.
  • Whisk together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar for the glaze, reserving a quarter of it for later.

Assembly and Baking

  • Gently combine ground beef, cooled vegetables, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, half of the glaze, salt, pepper, and dried herbs in a large bowl, being careful not to overmix.
  • Shape the mixture into a loaf in a baking dish or on a sheet pan.
  • Bake the meatloaf at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.
  • Remove the meatloaf, spread the reserved glaze over the top, and continue baking for 15-25 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and the glaze is caramelized.

Resting

  • Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure it remains moist and flavorful.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider using a mix of ground beef and ground pork. You can also add finely chopped mushrooms to the aromatic mixture for extra umami. Adjust the amount of spice according to your preference. Leftover meatloaf makes excellent sandwiches!