Grandma’s Easy Meatloaf Recipe
A timeless, comforting meatloaf made with simple pantry ingredients, perfect for family dinners. Moist, flavorful, and topped with a classic ketchup glaze.
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl Large enough for meat mixture
- 1 Loaf Pan 9x5 inch recommended
- 1 Measuring Cups For accurate seasoning
- 1 Oven — preheated to 375°F (190°C)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for best texture
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs Plain or seasoned
- 1 Egg Lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup Milk Whole milk preferred
- 1/2 cup Onion Finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce Adds depth of flavor
- 1 tsp Salt Or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper Freshly ground
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder Optional for extra flavor
- 1/2 cup Ketchup For glaze divided
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar Mixed with ketchup for sweet glaze
- 1 tsp Mustard Optional in glaze
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan.
- Make the Meat Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix gently with your hands or a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape and Transfer: Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it into the greased pan, pressing gently to form an even shape.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spoon half the glaze over the top of the loaf. Reserve the rest for later.
- Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes. Remove from the oven, spoon the remaining glaze on top, and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for the ultimate comfort meal.
Notes
- You can swap ketchup glaze with BBQ sauce for a smokier flavor.
- Add shredded cheese to the meat mixture for a richer result.
- Leftovers make excellent meatloaf sandwiches!
