Description
Comfort meets classic in this old fashioned meatloaf recipe, delivering hearty midwest nostalgia straight to your dinner table. Savory ground beef, perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, promises a satisfying meal that connects generations of home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) 90% lean ground beef
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Wet Ingredients and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Topping:
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F, ensuring precise temperature for optimal cooking results.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef with bread crumbs, diced onion, milk, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Use hands to blend ingredients gently, avoiding excessive compression that could create a dense texture.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a loaf pan, spreading evenly and creating a uniform shape that promotes consistent cooking throughout.
- Craft a sweet-tangy glaze by whisking ketchup and brown sugar until well integrated. Generously spread the mixture across the meatloaf’s surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Position the prepared meatloaf in the preheated oven, baking for approximately 55 minutes. Monitor internal temperature, aiming for 160°F to guarantee thorough cooking.
- After removing from the oven, allow the meatloaf to rest for 8-10 minutes. This crucial pause enables juices to redistribute, maintaining moisture and facilitating clean, structured slicing.
Notes
- Customize meat blend by mixing ground beef with ground pork or turkey for richer flavor and varied texture.
- Avoid dense meatloaf by gently mixing ingredients and not compressing mixture too tightly when shaping.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of packaged for lighter, more tender result that absorbs moisture better.
- Replace ketchup with tomato sauce or BBQ sauce for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg