This 1-Pound Meatloaf Recipe is the perfect dinner for a pound of ground beef when you want something easy and comforting. Sauteed onions and breadcrumbs add depth and texture, while Parmesan provides flavor without needing extra salt. It's finished with a delightful sweet glaze that makes every bite even better.
1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main course
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 50 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 4 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory, hearty, and slightly sweet from the glaze
- 🍚 Best Served With: Mashed potatoes, green beans, or roasted vegetables
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, can be prepped ahead and baked or reheated later
Summarize and Save This Content On
I reach for this one-pound meatloaf recipe on lazy Sundays because it's just the right amount for Ken and me. I've made it plenty of times and learned how to keep it nice and moist every time. It's one of those reliable, go-to dinners that I never get tired of.
If you're looking for more comforting ground beef recipes, you'll love old-fashioned Salisbury steak with onions and bacon cheeseburger pie.
Why This Recipe Works
- It's ready in an hour with minimal work: It only takes about 1 hour to complete this 1-pound meatloaf recipe. This includes both prepping and cooking!
- It's the perfect size for 2-4 people: If you're only cooking for you and your spouse or just a few people/small family, this 1-pound meatloaf is the right amount without the worry of leftovers.
- It has a 2-stage glaze for caramelization: You'll add glaze at the beginning and then a second time towards the end of the cooking process to ensure that the meatloaf has a beautiful caramelized glaze.
Ingredients
The key ingredients for this 1-pound meatloaf are listed below. This includes the loaf and the sweet glaze.
- Ground beef: I like lean ground beef for this, 80% lean is great, so it's not too lean but not so fatty that it makes a lot of grease. The small amount of fat keeps the meatloaf moist.
- Italian breadcrumbs: If you're wondering how much breadcrumbs you'll need for a 1-lb meatloaf, ½ cup is perfect. It helps bind it together without making it dry. I prefer Italian style, but if you have plain, add a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese: This adds plenty of salt and sharp flavor to the meatloaf. Use pre-grated or grate it yourself! I use it in these Parmesan meatballs for more flavor, too.
- Onion: I saute the onion in this recipe instead of leaving it raw. It softens it so there's no raw crunch in the meatloaf, and it also adds depth and subtle sweetness.
- Brown sugar: This is a key ingredient in the glaze for the top of the meatloaf. It adds sweetness, and it helps the glaze caramelize in the oven.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Ground pork: Try this meatloaf with ground pork instead of ground beef, or replace half of the beef with pork. It adds a lovely richness to this 1-pound meatloaf recipe.
- Add veggies: Boost the nutrition with some veggies. Try ½ cup of grated zucchini or carrots, or some chopped mushrooms. They add just enough texture without changing the structure of the meatloaf.
- Gluten-free: Make a gluten-free version with certified gluten-free breadcrumbs.
How to Bake a 1 lb Meatloaf
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Then, you can get started on this meatloaf recipe with 1lb of ground beef.
Step 1: Soften the onions and breadcrumbs. Heat your skillet over medium heat with oil, then cook the onions for about 3-4 minutes, then add the breadcrumbs and let them sit for a few seconds to soften.
Step 2: Combine the meatloaf ingredients. Add all the ingredients for the meatloaf to a mixing bowl and mix until everything is well combined.
Step 3: Form the meatloaf in the pan. Now you can loosely shape the meat into a loaf and place it in the loaf pan.
Step 4: Make the glaze. Mix the glaze ingredients in a separate bowl.
Step 5: Spread half the glaze. Brush half the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
Step 6: Bake and add more glaze. Put the one-pound meatloaf into the oven and bake it for 35 minutes. Then take it out, spread the rest of the glaze on top, and put it back in the oven for 15 more minutes. Slice and serve with a steakhouse baked potato.
Expert Tips
- Don't overmix the meat. Only mix the ground beef with the other ingredients until they are just combined. Overworking the meat can lead to a tough meatloaf.
- Rest it before serving: Allow your 1-pound meatloaf a few minutes to rest when it comes out of the oven. This allows the juices in the meat to redistribute so it's moist and tender, not dry.
- Prepare it in advance: You may assemble your meatloaf up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add about 5-10 minutes to the cooking time and bake it from cold.
- Storing the leftovers: Place leftover meatloaf slices into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating directions: You may reheat your meatloaf in a baking dish, covered in foil, in a 325F oven for about 10-12 minutes, or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, covered with a damp paper towel.
A classic meatloaf recipe you should try is this old-fashioned meatloaf recipe.
Serving Suggestions
- Starchy sides: Enjoy a side of creamy mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes with cheese.
- Veggie pairings: Prepare a delicious vegetable on the side, too. I highly recommend broccoli and cauliflower casserole and lemon garlic asparagus.
- Leftover ideas: Take a slice and make a hot meatloaf sandwich. Serve it on slices of homemade white bread.
1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe FAQs
It takes around 50 minutes to cook this one-pound meatloaf in a 350°F oven. Times may vary depending on whether your oven runs hotter, so be sure to check it before removing it from the oven.
The internal temperature of your meatloaf should reach 160°F, so I highly recommend checking it for doneness with a digital meat thermometer. This ensures it's cooked properly and safe to enjoy.
This can happen if you don't use enough egg and breadcrumbs. These ingredients are important for holding the mixture together so the meatloaf doesn't fall apart after it bakes.
Of course! Form the loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet instead. This will give it more crust on the edges.
More Easy Meatloaf Recipes
Do you like meatloaf for dinner? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 works best
- ½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 cup onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for sautéing the onion
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated
Glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease a small loaf pan.
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat, add the diced onion, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add the Italian seasoned bread crumbs to the skillet with the warm onions, stir to combine, and let the mixture sit for a few minutes so the bread crumbs can begin to soften.
- Transfer the onion and breadcrumb mixture to a large bowl and add the ground beef, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese, then mix gently just until combined.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it on the prepared sheet pan or loosely shape it inside a loaf pan without pressing it firmly into the bottom.
- Stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl and spread about half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 35 minutes, remove from the oven, spread the remaining glaze over the top, and return to the oven for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving
Notes
- Mix the ground beef with the other ingredients just until combined. Overworking the meat can make the meatloaf tough.
- Let your 1-pound meatloaf rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven. This gives the juices time to redistribute so it stays moist and tender instead of drying out.
- If your meatloaf is falling apart, it's usually because there isn't enough egg or breadcrumbs. These ingredients act as binders, helping hold everything together so the meatloaf stays intact after baking.
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