If you're looking for a comforting meal idea, I can't recommend this Old-Fashioned Meatloaf recipe enough! It's incredibly flavorful without being dry, and the glaze on top adds even more flavor and texture, making each bite better than the last.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Dish
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 110 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 6
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory and comforting with tender beef, onion, garlic, and a sweet-tangy ketchup glaze baked until caramelized.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Creamy mashed potatoes, buttered green beans, or classic mac and cheese for a true home-style meal.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, assemble up to a day ahead and refrigerate, or freeze unbaked or baked slices for easy reheating later.
Summarize and Save This Content On
Meatloaf is a tried and true classic that anyone can make, and this simple meatloaf will satisfy any hungry belly. You can serve it with any of your favorite side dishes, from creamy mashed potatoes to quick and easy air fryer baby potatoes. Create your own balanced meal that your family will adore!
More recipes that feature ground beef as the star include this loose meat sandwich and Big Mac sloppy joes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a classic recipe: A traditional meatloaf recipe is a classic that everyone loves, and this is just like your grandma's meatloaf, maybe even better!
- It's easy to customize: You can get creative with this meatloaf and change up the spices and condiments to make the flavor profile your own.
- It's inexpensive: This is a cheap dinner that is full of flavor. It's one of my favorite budget meals ever!
Ingredients
Below you'll find the essential ingredients for both this old-fashioned meatloaf recipe and the meatloaf sauce. They are pretty common, too!
- Ground beef: Use 80% lean ground beef for the best result because it still has enough fat to keep the meatloaf moist, but not too much where it has a greasy flavor.
- Onion soup mix: The key ingredient in this recipe for old-fashioned meatloaf is some onion soup mix. If you like, you can make this homemade meatloaf seasoning instead, but I go for the packet as a shortcut.
- Ketchup: I use ketchup in the meat mixture and my meatloaf glaze recipe. It thickens, adds acidity, and caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
- Brown sugar: The molasses flavor adds depth to the glaze as well as a lovely sweetness.
- Vinegar: For balance, some apple cider vinegar in the rich glaze provides a tanginess. White vinegar will work, too.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Cheddar meatloaf: Mix in about ¼- ⅓ cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the meatloaf mixture to add a savory, cheesy flavor. Omit about ¼ cup of the milk since the cheese adds extra moisture, too.
- Beef and pork meatloaf: Use half ground beef and half ground pork for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Spicy chili meatloaf: Replace the ketchup in the meatloaf mixture with your favorite spicy sweet chili sauce to add a kick.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Meatloaf
Here are the instructions you'll need for this vintage meatloaf recipe. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 1: Prepare the meatloaf. Start by combining all the ingredients for the meatloaf in a mixing bowl and gently mixing them.
Step 2: Add it to the pan. Then, form it into a loaf and place it into the greased loaf pan.
Step 3: Mix the glaze. Next, stir the ingredients for the glaze, and spread half of it onto the meatloaf.
Step 4: Brush the remaining glaze. Pop it into the oven for 60-70 minutes, and then brush the remaining glaze on top during the last 15 minutes. Take a look here to decide what to serve with meatloaf!
Recipe Tips
- Pack into the pan loosely: When forming the meat mixture into a loaf shape, don't pack it too tightly. This can cause it to become tough or to cook unevenly.
- Use a meat thermometer: Your old-fashioned meatloaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, so it's wise to check it with a thermometer to ensure it's properly cooked. It's not easy to tell by looking!
- Rest it before slicing: Allow the meatloaf to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will keep it tender and moist.
If you're looking for similar family dinner recipes, I highly recommend this hobo casserole.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze it for up to 3 months!
- Reheating: If you reheat it in the microwave, do so gently, starting with 1-minute intervals to keep it from drying out. You may also place it into a 350-degree oven for about 8 minutes. I recommend preparing a little extra meatloaf sauce for moisture.
- Make Ahead: You may combine and shape the meatloaf up to 24 hours in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. Do the same with the glaze and keep it in a separate container.
Serving Suggestions
- Potatoes are a classic side dish with a slice of old-fashioned meatloaf. I love simple Air fryer hassleback potatoes or some crispy smashed red potatoes.
- If you're looking for a stunning veggie, maple bacon brussel sprouts and roasted broccoli and carrots make incredible pairings.
- Beef and red wine go well together, so make a delicious cocktail like a winter sangria to serve alongside your meatloaf.
Recipe FAQs
When mixing the beef with the other ingredients, be careful not to overwork the mixture. This can cause the meatloaf to become dense after it bakes.
This can happen for many reasons, the biggest being that there are not enough binders to soak up the extra fat. This also happens if you use a fattier cut. I don't recommend anything less than 80% lean.
Overcooked meatloaf can become very dry very quickly. That's why it's important to set a timer and use a thermometer if you're unsure of the cook time.
More Delicious Meatloaf Recipes
Do you like meatloaf? 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!
Old Fashioned Meatloaf
Equipment
- meatloaf pan with drip tray or 9 x 5 inch loaf pan
Ingredients
For the meatloaf
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
- 1 envelope Onion Soup Mix I use Liptons
- ¾ cup plain dry breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk or water
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
For the glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- Pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire (if using), and garlic powder. Mix gently until just combined-don't overmix.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared pan or free-form on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the glaze ingredients until smooth. Spread about half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. About 15 minutes before it's done, spread the remaining glaze over the top.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Pack your meatloaf mixture loosely to prevent it from becoming tough.
- Allow it to rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven so it remains tender when you slice it.
- A meat thermometer is key to ensuring that your old-fashioned meatloaf is thoroughly cooked. The middle should read a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
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