Classic Meatloaf Recipe

For a slice of old-world comfort, you can’t beat a classic meatloaf recipe. It’s the ultimate comfort food that your family will love all year round. If you’re a fan of meatloaf, then this is the recipe for you. This amazing traditional meatloaf recipe is tender and moist texture and deep, rich flavors with a hint of tanginess. It’s a classic, hearty dish that’s perfect with mashed potatoes.

You know how some recipes seem to be impossible, but this one is actually quite easy to follow. You’ll find that this recipe results in a juicy meatloaf every time! 

Ingredients for Traditional Meatloaf
Every chef has their own meatloaf recipe. Here are the basic ingredients for this recipe:

Ground Chuck
This recipe calls for ground beef, but some reviewers like to use other kinds of ground meat (like pork or venison).

Vegetables
The carrot, celery, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic puree will keep the meatloaf moist and flavorful.

Worcestershire Sauce
A tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce adds umami flavor to the meatloaf.

Egg
The egg helps bind the meatloaf together.

Spices
Dried Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to season.

Bread Crumbs
Bread crumbs will bind the meatloaf together.

Glaze
This meatloaf recipe has a glaze made with brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and sriracha.

Classic Meatloaf Recipe

This amazing traditional meatloaf recipe is tender and moist texture and deep, rich flavors with a hint of tanginess. It's a classic, hearty dish that's perfect with mashed potatoes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Calories 164 kcal

Equipment

• baking pan

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs. ground beef (85% lean)
• 1 cup dried breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp. parsley, coarsely chopped
• 2 pcs. egg, lightly beaten
• 1 pc. medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2 pcs. cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. Sriracha sauce, or to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking dish with lightly greased foil or parchment paper.
• Combine the beef, bread crumbs, onion, bell pepper, eggs, 2 tbsp. ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix these ingredients together with your hands until well combined. Don't overmix.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Pat the meat down into an even layer and form it into a compact oval-shaped loaf about 9 inches by 5 inches. Bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes.
• For the glaze, combine the brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire, red wine vinegar and Sriracha sauce in a small bowl. Apply the glaze evenly to the meatloaf's top and sides.
• Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the glaze begins to caramelize and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 160 degrees F.
• Allow 8-10 minutes for the meatloaf to rest before serving (or it may fall apart)

Keyword beef, dinner recipe, main course, meat, traditional recipe

Did you know? A timeworn classic, meatloaf is endlessly adaptable with the addition of different spices, herbs, and vegetables so that it can become more than just a ground beef loaf. It’s traditional to serve with peas and ketchup, but you can also try other condiments such as sour cream or gravy. Meatloaf recipes do not have hard-and-fast rules but rather guidelines for how this dish should be prepared when cooking at home.