Description
Hearty Classic Meatloaf brings comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens, delivering rich savory flavors with a perfectly caramelized glaze. Homemade goodness fills your plate with nostalgic warmth, inviting you to savor each satisfying bite of this timeless family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) ground beef (85-90% lean)
- 2 large eggs
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
Glaze Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by lining a loaf pan with parchment paper, ensuring edges extend over sides for effortless removal. Heat the oven to 375°F.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef, diced onion, eggs, crushed garlic, ketchup, chopped parsley, breadcrumbs, milk, and seasonings. Gently fold ingredients together using hands until just incorporated, avoiding excessive mixing to prevent dense texture.
- Transfer meat mixture into prepared pan, smoothing surface evenly and ensuring gentle compression to maintain light consistency.
- Place meatloaf in preheated oven and roast uncovered for 40 minutes.
- Simultaneously, craft glaze by whisking ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a separate small bowl until thoroughly blended.
- After initial baking period, remove meatloaf and generously coat top with prepared glaze, spreading evenly across surface.
- Return to oven and continue cooking for additional 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F when tested with meat thermometer.
- Once cooking completes, remove from oven and allow meatloaf to rest 10-15 minutes. This crucial step enables juice redistribution, guaranteeing tender, succulent meat when sliced.
Notes
- Gently combine ingredients with hands to prevent a tough, dense texture, ensuring a light and tender meatloaf.
- Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for maximum flavor and moisture, preventing a dry final dish.
- Adjust glaze sweetness by balancing brown sugar and vinegar to suit personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
- Prepare meatloaf mixture ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight cooking easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg