Best Meatloaf Recipe!
This is a homemade recipe for people who love their Meatloaf tasty with flavor, creamy and tender yet not crumbling apart when sliced, and with a yummy caramelized meatloaf glaze. It’s so much more than just a giant hunk of ground beef in a loaf shape!It’s made with ground beef, a handful of seasonings, onions, and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. Then, it’s baked in the oven with a tasty zesty topping.
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- Mixing bowls
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp salt
- 2 pound extra-lean ground beef
- 3 slices bread, toasted and crumbled
- 7 buttery round crackers, crushed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 3 1/2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 15 ounces can tomato sauce, divided
- 1/2 cup milk, or as needed (Optional)
- 3 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a small pan, cook onions in butter over medium low heat until tender. Let them cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes
- Add the ground beef, cooked onions, ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt & pepper to the bowl. Mix until just combined.
- Form a 8"x4" loaf on the prepared baking pan and bake for 40 minutes. While the meatloaf is cooking, combine the chili sauce and ketchup (and brown sugar if using). Spread mixture over the meatloaf and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cooked through and the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Broil for 1-2 minutes if desired.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Chili Sauce: Chili sauce is not spicy; it tastes like a very zesty ketchup with more tang and less sweetness. (Find chili sauce near the ketchup at the store.) If you don’t have chili sauce, use extra ketchup or even a bit of BBQ sauce if you’d like.
Optional Additions: 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard or Worcestershire sauce can be added to the beef mixture. Onions can be added without cooking, but may not soften as well and will have a stronger flavor.
Do Not Overmix: Mix the ingredients just until combined to avoid a dense meatloaf.
Use Lean Meat: Use 80/20 for great flavor without making it greasy.
Add flavors and moisture: Don’t skip the seasonings and soak the breadcrumbs in milk to keep the meatloaf flavorful and moist.
Skip the Loaf Pan: Use a baking pan instead of a loaf pan. This gives the meatloaf a nice crust. A loaf pan causes the meat to steam, and there’s nowhere for the drippings to go.
Rest the Meatloaf: Let the meatloaf rest once it comes out of the oven to help redistribute the juices and make sure it won’t fall apart when sliced.