This Meatloaf Recipe is a classic comfort food and a family favorite that has been enjoyed by families for generations. I share my recipe and step by step instructions:

The Perfect Meatloaf Recipe – 3 Secrets to the Best Meatloaf Ever on my YouTube Channel and I am pleased that every love it just as much as I do. Classic Meatloaf is a comfort food necessity and to make it should be simple and easy. My recipe is easy enough for anyone to follow. This pairs great with mashed potatoes, dirty rice, green beans and potatoes, mac and cheese.

What is the Secret to a Great Meatloaf?

To start, a few tips to making great meatloaf are:

1. Start by using lean ground beef. Lean ground beef is a healthier options because it’s low in fat and less greasy.
2. Make sure to add moisture. Adding milk will increase the moisture of your loaf
3. Mix well but don’t overmix. Overmixing the meat will tough.
4. Allow the loaf to rest for 9- 10 minutes after cooking. This well allow the juices to redistribute yielding a moist loaf.

Watch the Video: Meatloaf Recipe Tutorial

Step 1: Ingredients

Meatloaf is such a great dinner for many reasons. One reason is the ingredients can be readily found in our pantry and refrigerator. The most important ingredient when considering a great tasting meatloaf is the ground beef. The best ground beef for meatloaf is 80/20 or 85/15. This means that it is 80% lean ground beef and 20% fat. The fat content is very important for keeping the meatloaf moist and juicy. If you use too lean of a ground beef, the meatloaf will be dry and crumbly and results in an overly dense meatloaf.

Ground Beef, Yellow Onion, Garlic, Butter, Egg, Half and Half, Italian Breadcrumbs, Worcestershire Sauce, Brown Sugar, Ketchup (not BBQ sauce), Parsley Flakes, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper and Salt

Step 2: Saute the Onions

This is a very important step. cooking the fresh onions before adding them to your loaf will add more flavor.

Preheat your oven temperature to 350 degrees. Using medium heat bring a pan to temperature then melt the butter. Saute the onions and garlic for two minutes. After two minutes remove your onion mixture from the pan and set them aside until later.

Do You Cover Meatloaf When Baking at 350?

You do not have to cover your meatloaf while baking. In fact keeping it uncovered will allow it to bake more evenly and achieve the desired browning on the outside. Cooking your loaf without covering will not dry out your loaf.

Step 3: Making the Meatloaf Sauce

The tangy glaze sauce to top the loaf has a balanced sweetness and is delicious. The brown sugar and ketchup gives it a sweet taste while the mustard flavor balances the sauce.

In a medium bowl combine your brown sugar mustard and 2/3 cup ketchup. Whisk until well combined then set it aside until later.

Step 4: Combine Meatloaf Ingredients

It’s important to allow the combined ingredients (meat mixture) to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes after mixing. This will allow the flavors to blend before forming the loaf.

Add to the beef the paprika, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the Worcestershire sauce, the onion and garlic mixture then mix until well combined. I always use my handy Pampered Chef Mix and Mash for this task.

Add to the beef the paprika, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the Worcestershire sauce, the onion and garlic mixture then mix until well combined. I always use my handy Pampered Chef Mix and Mash for this task.

Now add the half and half, egg and bread crumbs and mix well. Allow your mixture to sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before forming a loaf into your desired loaf shape. Do not cover with aluminum foil, plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. 

Step 5: Forming the Meatloaf

After 30 minutes remove the meat mixture from the refrigerator then form your loaf transfer your loaf to a wire rack then top with the sauce. Transfer to the preheated oven and allow it to cook for one hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit as indicated on your meat thermometer. Do not sheet with foil.  Let your meatloaf rest 5 minutes before serving for amazing flavor.
 

Meatloaf Recipe

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

3.6 from 241 votes

Course: MainCuisine: American, Southern, Soul FoodDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Ground Beef

• 1 Onion

• 2 cloves Garlic

• 1 Tbsp Butter

• 1 Egg

• 1 cup Half and Half

• 1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

• 4 Tbsps Brown Sugar

• 2/3 cup Ketchup

• 2 Tbsp Mustard

• 1/2 Tbsp Parsley Flakes

• 1 tsp. Paprika

• 2 tsps Garlic Powder

• 2 tsps Black Pepper

• 2 tsps Salt

Directions

• Pre Heat the oven to 350 degrees
• using medium heat bring your pan to temperature then add the butter
• saute your onions and garlic for two minutes before adding them to the ground beef
• after two minutes remove your onion and garlic from the pan and set them aside until later
• in a small bowl combine your brown sugar mustard and ketchup
• whisk until well combined and set it aside until later
• to the beef add your paprika, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper
• add the Worcestershire sauce, the onion and garlic mixture then mix until well combined
• add the half and half, egg and bread crumbs and mix well
• Allow your mixture to sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before forming a loaf
• after 30 minutes remove it from the refrigerator then form your loaf
• transfer your loaf to a wire rack then top with the sauce
• transfer to the preheated oven and allow it to cook for one hour

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