Here’s a hearty Southern Meatloaf recipe — flavorful, moist, and perfect with classic sides like mashed potatoes or green beans:
🥩 Southern Meatloaf
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Meatloaf
- 2 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional for Southern flavor)
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp hot sauce (optional for a Southern kick)
🔪 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
2️⃣ Mix Meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk; let sit 5 minutes to soften.
- Add ground meat, eggs, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Mix gently until just combined (overmixing can make meatloaf dense).
3️⃣ Shape & Glaze
- Shape mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet or in a loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients and spread over the top of the meatloaf.
4️⃣ Bake
- Bake 55–65 minutes, until meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to caramelize the glaze.
5️⃣ Rest & Serve
- Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing to keep it moist.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread for a classic Southern meal.
🌟 Tips
- Moist meatloaf: Don’t overmix the meat; using a mix of beef and pork helps retain moisture.
- Flavor boosters: Add chopped bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce, or a dash of hot sauce for Southern depth.
- Make ahead: Meatloaf can be shaped and glazed a day in advance, then baked the next day.
If you want, I can also give a “Southern-style mini meatloaf muffins” version — faster to cook and perfect for individual servings.
Do you want me to do that?
