Very Best Meatloaf

Juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly tender, the "Very Best Meatloaf" lives up to its name as the ultimate comfort food classic. Made with a perfectly balanced blend of 80/20 ground beef, breadcrumbs, and milk for a moist texture, this homestyle recipe is elevated with finely diced onion, minced garlic, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for an extra depth of flavor. The rich, tangy glaze, made with ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, caramelizes beautifully in the oven, giving this meatloaf its signature sweet-savory finish. Simple yet satisfying, this easy meatloaf recipe takes just 15 minutes to prep and bakes to perfection in under an hour, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or your favorite vegetables for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that never goes out of style. Whether you're searching for a classic meatloaf recipe or comfort food done right, this is the one you'll come back to time and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 small Yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons Ketchup (for meat mixture)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dried parsley
• 0.5 teaspoons Paprika
• 0.5 cup Ketchup (for glaze)
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.

Step 3

Add the ground beef, eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper, parsley, and paprika to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix using your hands or a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender.

Step 4

Transfer the meatloaf mixture to the prepared loaf pan or baking sheet. Shape it into a loaf form if using a baking sheet.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.

Step 7

Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove it from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top.

Step 8

Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.

Step 9

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy with your favorite sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1684.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3299.7

Total Fat 205.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 79.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 1020.2mg	0%
Sodium 6671.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.0g	0%
Total Sugars 75.8g
Protein 192.1g	0%

Vitamin D 245.6IU	0%
Calcium 679.9mg	0%
Iron 28.0mg	0%
Potassium 3088.0mg	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: 56.1%

Protein: 23.3%

Carbs: 20.6%