Dad's Awesome Meatloaf

Hearty, flavorful, and irresistibly comforting, Dad's Awesome Meatloaf is a classic recipe elevated with just the right balance of savory and sweet. Made with a perfectly seasoned blend of 80/20 ground beef, finely chopped onion, and a touch of smoked paprika, this meatloaf is incredibly moist thanks to a milk-soaked breadcrumb base. The rich glaze, made from ketchup, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar, caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating the ultimate finishing touch. Easy to prepare and baked to juicy perfection in just over an hour, this meatloaf is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a comforting, satisfying meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Whole milk
• 1 cup Onion (finely chopped)
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons Ketchup (for the meat mixture)
• 0.5 cup Ketchup (for the glaze)
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.

Step 3

Add the ground beef, chopped onion, eggs, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons of ketchup to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix everything together gently using your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can make the meatloaf dense.

Step 4

Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan and press it down gently to shape it. Smooth out the top with the back of a spoon.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup ketchup, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar to create the glaze.

Step 6

Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf, ensuring it's completely covered.

Step 7

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C).

Step 8

Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes in the pan. This helps retain the juices and makes slicing easier.

Step 9

Carefully lift the meatloaf out of the pan, slice it into portions, and serve warm. Pair with mashed potatoes, green beans, or your favorite sides for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1601.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3230.4

Total Fat 204.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 1012.8mg	0%
Sodium 7639.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 67.3g
Protein 188.5g	0%

Vitamin D 191.9IU	0%
Calcium 513.5mg	0%
Iron 27.9mg	0%
Potassium 2880.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.6%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 20.1%