Ah yes 😍 Meatloaf—comfort food at its finest: hearty, flavorful, and perfect with mashed potatoes or a simple side salad. Let’s make a classic, moist, and flavorful version.
🍖 Classic Meatloaf
Serves 6–8
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork for extra flavor)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup ketchup (plus extra for topping)
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
Optional Topping
- ¼–½ cup ketchup, barbecue sauce, or a mix
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper
2️⃣ Mix the meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme
- Mix just until combined (overmixing can make it dense)
3️⃣ Shape & top
- Shape mixture into a loaf or press into prepared pan
- Spread ketchup or barbecue sauce evenly over the top
4️⃣ Bake
- Bake 60–70 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C)
- Optional: broil 2–3 minutes at the end for a caramelized topping
5️⃣ Rest & serve
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing
- Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a side salad
🔥 Pro Tips
- Mix gently—overmixing meat can make meatloaf tough
- Add a little grated carrot or zucchini for extra moisture
- Use a meat thermometer—perfect doneness is key
- Leftovers make great sandwiches
Variations
- 🧀 Cheesy meatloaf: add shredded cheddar inside the loaf
- 🌶 Spicy meatloaf: mix in ½ tsp cayenne or hot sauce
- 🍄 Mushroom meatloaf: sautéed mushrooms folded in
- 🥓 Bacon-wrapped meatloaf: lay bacon strips over the top before baking
If you want, I can give you a super-moist, restaurant-style meatloaf recipe with a tangy glaze that comes out perfectly every time 🍖✨
Do you want me to do that?
