Southern Meatloaf

Sink your teeth into the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Southern Meatloaf recipe, a classic made irresistible with savory spices and a sweet tangy glaze. This dish combines tender ground beef, aromatic veggies like onion and green bell pepper, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for a rich, mouthwatering flavor. A smoky hint of paprika and creamy Dijon mustard elevate this traditional favorite, while the glaze—featuring brown sugar, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar—caramelizes into a sticky-sweet topping. Perfectly baked to juicy perfection, this Southern-style meatloaf pairs beautifully with classic sides like fluffy mashed potatoes or buttery cornbread, making it an easy yet satisfying dinner for the whole family. Ready in just 80 minutes, this timeless recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that’s sure to leave your guests craving seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 2 pieces large eggs
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (for the glaze)
• 0.5 cup ketchup (for the glaze)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (for the glaze)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 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 ground beef, finely chopped onion, green bell pepper, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Using clean hands or a wooden spoon, mix everything together until well combined, making sure not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaf dense.

Step 4

Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Press it down gently to ensure it’s evenly packed.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar to create the glaze.

Step 6

Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf using the back of a spoon or a silicone spatula.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes slicing easier.

Step 9

Serve the meatloaf warm with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1798.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3087.9

Total Fat 183.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 988.8mg	0%
Sodium 7403.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 197.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.4g	0%
Total Sugars 92.1g
Protein 187.7g	0%

Vitamin D 133.7IU	0%
Calcium 455.9mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 3591.6mg	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: 51.8%

Protein: 23.5%

Carbs: 24.7%