Some foods just never go out of style and meatloaf is one of them. I never got my mom’s recipe before she passed but this one is pretty darn close to the comfort food dinner I grew up on. The Best Classic Meatloaf is one of those recipes that will become your “go-to” because you’ll never need to try another version. This recipe is perfection if I do say so!
This meatloaf is simple, classic, flavorful and JUICY! Dry, flavorless meatloaf is the worst. We’ve all had it right? My recipe is foolproof and I know you’re going to love it. Let’s get started…
How to Make The Best Classic Meatloaf
First, I’ll spare you the pictures of too much raw beef and just show you the formed meatloaf. This is a combination of eggs, milk, saltines or panko bread crumbs, diced onion, sage, salt and pepper. That’s it! It makes a huge loaf that fills up a 9×13 pan but we love the leftovers.
Next, make the sauce by combining ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour 2/3 of the mixture over the meatloaf evenly then bake for about an hour or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Save the remaining sauce for those who want their slices of meatloaf extra saucy.
It is imperative that you cook this just until the internal temperature is reached so that it doesn’t get dry. If you do this, The Best Classic Meatloaf will turn out perfect every single time.
Serve with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable and dinner is done. The Best Classic Meatloaf is so comforting and a dinner that I love to make because I know that everyone loves it. Dinnertime can be stressful because it’s hard to please every palette but I’m making life easier for you with this foolproof recipe. Make it and and I promise it will be a huge hit!
Sponsored post for Lee’s Marketplace. Ingredients on sale October 20-29: ground beef, milk (Wednesday only)
More Ground Beef Recipes to Try
The Best Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lbs 85% lean ground beef
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup crushed saltines or panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by lining with nonstick foil or spraying with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add ground beef, eggs, milk, saltines (or panko), onion, sage, salt and pepper. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix or overwork the meat.
- Pour meat mixture into prepared dish and shape into an long oval shaped loaf that is about 3-4 inches high.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Pour 2/3 of the sauce evenly over the meatloaf.
- Bake for 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 160° F. Let stand 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining sauce.
Gonna try this tonight.
Can’t wait to hear your review!
Looks delicious!!
Thank you!
In the oven right now!! (:
Delicious! The loaf was a little more ‘wet’ than your picture but it cooked perfectly. I only had a pound of meat so I reduced the servings to 3 to reduce the meat required. (That’s a cool feature btw). Maybe the recipe size changes aren’t linear or it was because I used panko. Maybe next time I’ll hold back some liquid.