Best Meatloaf Recipe

Best Meatloaf Recipe

Cook Time: 70 minutes

Good old-fashioned meatloaf stands alongside hot dogs and apple pie as iconic American foods. While not all of these dishes originated in America, theyve become deeply embedded in the culture and lore of the country. Meatloaf, in particular, is a shining example of resourcefulness, as home cooks have long used affordable ingredients to create a hearty dish that stretches supplies to feed a family. Its versatility has made it a favorite from classic diners to fine dining establishments and in homes across the world.

Why This Recipe Works

Meatloaf is typically made by combining ground meats with vegetables, seasonings, and either crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, all held together with a binder such as eggs. This particular recipe uses extra-lean ground beef, which helps reduce the amount of grease in the finished dish. The addition of sour cream adds a touch of fat and a tangy flavor, ensuring the meatloaf is flavorful without being dry. Although optional, milk may be necessary at higher altitudes to help adjust the texture of the mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Begin by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, and saut them until the onion becomes soft and translucent about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine the Meatloaf Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sauted onion and garlic mixture with 2 pounds of extra-lean ground beef, 3 slices of crumbled toasted bread, 7 crushed buttery round crackers, 1 lightly beaten egg, 3 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and of a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. If the mixture feels too dry, you can slowly add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a moist but not soggy consistency.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Meatloaf

Transfer the meat mixture into a 5x9-inch loaf pan and shape it into a smooth, even loaf. Place the pan in the preheated oven at 350F (175C) and bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes.

Step 4: Increase Heat and Finish Baking

After the initial baking time, increase the oven temperature to 400F (200C) and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. The meatloaf should reach an internal temperature of 160F (70C). This ensures the inside is fully cooked while also allowing the exterior to develop a tasty crust.

Step 5: Add the Glaze

In a small bowl, mix the remaining half can of tomato sauce with 3 tablespoons of ketchup. Once the meatloaf has finished baking, pour the glaze evenly over the top. Return the meatloaf to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and become golden brown.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute and ensures a moist and tender slice.

Tips for Success

  • Dont overwork the mixture: Gently combine the ingredients to avoid a dense, compacted meatloaf.
  • Think small: Chop vegetables like onion and garlic into small, uniform pieces, and crumble the breadcrumbs or crackers finely. This helps create a more uniform texture.
  • Let it rest: Like any roasted meat, meatloaf benefits from resting for a few minutes before slicing to retain its juices.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 213
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Sodium: 649mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Iron: 3mg

Enjoy your delicious homemade meatloaf!

Best Meatloaf Recipe

AI Audio version of the recipe is available!

You can listen to this recipe in AI audio format. Simply click the play button below to listen to the content in a format that suits you best. It’s a great way to absorb information on the go!

FAQ about Best Meatloaf Recipe

Leftover meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure it is completely cooled before refrigerating. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave for quicker reheating.

Yes, meatloaf can be frozen. After cooking and cooling, wrap the meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place it in a freezer bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Yes, you can prepare the meatloaf mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes for an easier dinner preparation. However, you should wait to add the glaze until just before baking.

If you don't have sour cream, you can use plain yogurt (Greek or regular), mayonnaise, or even buttermilk as a substitute. Each will slightly alter the flavor, but they will still provide moisture to the meatloaf.

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork for the ground beef in this recipe. If you use lean meats like turkey, you may need to add a little more fat (such as olive oil or extra sour cream) to keep the meatloaf moist.

Dry meatloaf can result from overmixing the ingredients, which compacts the loaf, or undercooking it. It's important to mix the ingredients just until combined and bake the meatloaf to the correct internal temperature (160°F or 70°C). If you find your meatloaf dry, you can add a bit more moisture with milk or sour cream.

Yes! You can add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini to the meatloaf for extra flavor and moisture. Make sure to finely chop or grate them before adding to the mixture to avoid a watery meatloaf.

To slice meatloaf, let it rest for about 10 minutes after baking. This allows the juices to redistribute. Use a sharp knife to cut the meatloaf into thick slices, about 1-inch thick, for the best texture and presentation.

To prevent your meatloaf from being greasy, use extra-lean ground beef and make sure to bake it on a raised rack or in a meatloaf pan that allows excess fat to drain away. Avoid using too much milk or fat in the mixture, as this can make the meatloaf greasy.

Yes, you can prepare the glaze (tomato sauce and ketchup) ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just pour it over the meatloaf during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow it to caramelize.

Comments

Kathleen Adams

11/16/2024 07:50:12 AM

Rewritten review: This recipe was fantastic! I made a few modifications, using Italian breadcrumbs instead of bread and crackers, and substituting garlic powder and onion salt for cooking garlic and onion in butter. I accidentally forgot to add the milk, but the meat turned out moist and delicious without it. I will definitely make this dish again. Thank you!

Gregory Green

03/17/2025 08:56:02 AM

Review Rewritten: Absolutely delicious! I was a bit hesitant about using extra lean ground beef, fearing it would turn out dry, but it was wonderfully juicy. I had to make a few ingredient substitutions, opting for Plain Skyr (Icelandic yogurt with a milder flavor than Greek yogurt) instead of sour cream, and fresh pureed tomatoes from my garden in place of canned tomato sauce. To balance the acidity of the tomatoes, I added a touch of salt, Italian seasoning, and just a drop of liquid Stevia to the puree, which worked brilliantly. I will definitely be making this dish again, and next time I plan to include some diced mushrooms and orange bell peppers for an extra twist.

Brandon Scott

12/27/2024 11:22:37 AM

Juicy and flavorful. Baked in a meatloaf pan with an elevated base that kept it from soaking in grease and juices, ensuring it stayed moist. To cater to southern palates, I mixed in around a quarter cup of brown sugar and a few tablespoons of yellow mustard into the glaze for a delightful sweet and tangy flavor.

Nancy Wilson

09/28/2023 09:25:15 AM

Yummy!! I made a few adjustments to this recipe because I enjoy bell peppers in my meatloaf. I sautéed half a cup of diced bell peppers with the onions and garlic, and I skipped the sour cream since I didn't have any. I truly think that sautéing the peppers made a big difference. My family absolutely loved this version of meatloaf and said it was the best they've ever had. I'll definitely be making it this way from now on!

David Roberts

08/20/2024 10:01:23 PM

Review rewritten: Prior to starting, I noticed that the video tutorial did not align with the baking instructions provided. The glaze was applied during the final minutes when the oven temperature was raised, skipping the middle phase entirely. Despite this discrepancy, I decided to follow the video instructions and applied the glaze during the last 15 minutes of baking at 400°F. In an effort to consume more plant-based foods, I opted to use a combination of 1 lb of ground beef and 1 lb of meat substitute. This substitution worked well, resulting in a non-greasy dish with a satisfyingly meaty texture. I found that the dish could have benefited from a touch more salt due to the meat substitute, although I prefer allowing individuals to season their own food according to their preference. To add a spicy kick, I included horseradish in both the meatloaf and the glaze. Despite not having the full quantity of sour cream required, this had no adverse impact on the dish - it remained moist without the addition of milk. Overall, the dish was delicious, flavorful, and surprisingly quick to prepare.

Jose Torres

06/29/2023 04:14:09 AM

The recipe serves as an excellent foundation, and I implemented a few tweaks to enhance it further. Firstly, I opted to grind my beef, incorporating onions and garlic during the process to eliminate the need for sautéing and ensuring a seamless integration of flavors. Secondly, I utilized homemade breadcrumbs for an unparalleled taste. Furthermore, I substituted sour cream with mayonnaise and reduced the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. In my next attempt, I plan to diminish the quantity of tomato sauce, using 6 ounces within the beef mixture and reserving 4 tablespoons to blend with the ketchup for the topping.

Justin Diaz

12/06/2024 05:08:56 AM

I typically don't use a lot of tomato sauce in my meatloaf. Instead, I like to combine tomato sauce with barbecue sauce. I use a ratio of one quarter cup of tomato sauce to three teaspoons of barbecue sauce, depending on the size of the meatloaf. In addition, I add bread soaked in milk, Italian breadcrumbs, onions, peppers, minced garlic, onion powder, pepper, egg, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. I grate the onion for added flavor. After mixing all the ingredients, I pour the tomato and barbecue sauce mixture over the meatloaf before baking. I prefer my meatloaf to be tender and well-seasoned. Everyone has their own preferences, but they all turn out delicious in the end.

Christopher Cruz

01/11/2025 06:23:23 PM

I tried making the recipe but realized we were out of tomato sauce. I ended up using 3/4 cup of Paul Newman's Marinara sauce and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste as a substitute. I also used 1 cup of Italian bread crumbs instead of regular bread. The result? Absolutely delicious!

Tyler Phillips

05/21/2024 03:14:37 PM

Rewritten review: I mostly followed the recipe, but I made some adjustments based on our preferences. I added a meatloaf mix of beef and pork, plenty of chopped garlic, a whole chopped onion, oregano, parsley, a mix of ground peppers, and a layer of sliced ham and muenster cheese in the middle. I skipped ingredients we didn't have on hand like sour cream, crackers, and milk. I topped it off with our favorite jarred tomato sauce. The result was outstanding! I also lined the pan with parchment paper under the meatloaf for easy removal onto the cutting board after it had cooked and cooled slightly.

Nathan Williams

11/15/2022 11:01:22 AM

This was the best meatloaf I have ever tasted! My friend Jeff made it using his venison that was processed with Wright Brand bacon. It was absolutely incredible. Highly recommend! - BD

Kimberly Smith

04/21/2024 09:19:38 PM

The dish turned out moist and delicious. I prepared two servings and can't wait to enjoy it for a convenient dinner sometime soon. I opted not to include milk or sour cream, and instead used a combination of turkey and beef. I substituted bread and crackers with 3/4 cup of Italian bread crumbs. I will definitely be making this dish again.

Lisa Evans

11/12/2024 05:52:39 AM

There is an overwhelming amount of tomato in this dish.

Debra Sanchez

05/07/2025 03:28:41 AM

I substituted Italian seasoned bread crumbs for regular bread crumbs and the result was fantastic!

Tyler Green

04/05/2023 09:15:40 PM

This meatloaf is absolutely delicious and I regret not making two. It's perfect for freezing for later. The flavor is exceptional and it stays wonderfully moist.

Edward Nguyen

09/16/2023 04:03:39 AM

I poured in some milk and mixed in barbecue sauce. It turned out delicious!

Helen Hill

06/12/2023 06:03:29 PM

It was a great experience to sip on beer while my girlfriend brewed it!

Victoria Edwards

01/17/2024 12:17:04 AM

Absolutely fantastic! I also experimented by drizzling barbecue sauce over it instead of ketchup, and the result was amazing!

Rebecca Campbell

10/18/2022 05:49:54 PM

You had me until you mentioned tomato sauce.

Anthony Jackson

11/23/2023 04:49:27 AM

Sure! Original: Yes. Rewritten: Absolutely fantastic!

Anthony Ramirez

07/30/2024 06:15:01 AM

I decided to test out this meatloaf recipe because it was labeled as "Best Meatloaf". Even though I already had a favorite recipe, the promising title and positive reviews intrigued me. However, upon taking it out of the oven, I was disappointed to see a lumpy and unappetizing appearance. The taste failed to impress as well, lacking in flavor and leaving me underwhelmed. This meatloaf was possibly the most bland dish I have ever encountered. If it were possible, I would give it a rating of zero stars.