Here’s a reliable, old-school Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe—moist inside, flavorful, and topped with a sweet-savory glaze.
🍖 Best Classic Meatloaf
🧾 Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 kg ground beef (80/20 for best juiciness)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)
Glaze
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard (optional but adds depth)
- 1 tsp vinegar (optional for balance)
🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven
- Set to 180°C (350°F)
- Lightly grease a loaf pan or baking tray
2. Mix the meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine:
- ground beef
- onion + garlic
- breadcrumbs
- eggs + milk
- ketchup + Worcestershire sauce
- seasoning
- Mix gently—don’t overwork (keeps it tender)
3. Shape
- Form into a loaf shape in a pan or freeform on a tray
4. Add glaze
- Mix glaze ingredients
- Spread half on top before baking
5. Bake
- Bake for 45–60 minutes
- Add remaining glaze in the last 10–15 minutes
6. Rest
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing (important for structure)
🍽️ Serve with
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Rice or buttered bread
🍖 Result
A tender, flavorful version of Meatloaf with a caramelized glaze and juicy center.
💡 Tips for perfection
- Use 80/20 beef for moisture (lean beef can turn dry)
- Don’t overmix or it becomes dense
- Add a splash of milk = softer texture
- Let it rest before slicing so it doesn’t fall apart
If you want, I can also give:
- A cheese-stuffed meatloaf version
- A mini meatloaf muffin tray version (faster cooking)
- Or a BBQ smoky twist version
