Description
Mouthwatering homemade meatloaf delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, packed with savory ground beef and classic seasonings. Rich flavors blend perfectly, creating a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup milk (180 milliliters)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon butter
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional for sweetness)
Instructions
- Caramelize onions by melting butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté finely diced onions until soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Allow onions to cool completely before incorporating into meat mixture.
- Create breadcrumb mixture by whisking eggs and milk together in a medium bowl. Fold in breadcrumbs and allow to hydrate for 5-10 minutes, ensuring moisture absorption for a tender meatloaf.
- Gently combine ground beef with cooled onions, moistened breadcrumbs, ketchup, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Use hands to blend ingredients thoroughly but avoid overmixing to prevent toughness.
- Mold meat mixture into a compact loaf shape within a prepared baking pan, aiming for dimensions around 8″x4″. Place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 40 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and meat to cook evenly.
- Prepare glaze by blending chili sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar. After initial baking, generously spread glaze over meatloaf surface. Return to oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes to create a caramelized exterior.
- Remove meatloaf from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. This crucial step allows internal juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful final result. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for healthier, leaner protein options.
- Add finely grated vegetables like carrots or zucchini to boost nutrition and moisture without compromising texture.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate wheat sensitivities.
- Create mini meatloaves in muffin tins for quicker cooking and perfect individual portions that are great for meal prepping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg