Best Meatloaf in the Whole Wide World! Recipe

Best Meatloaf in the Whole Wide World! Recipe

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • cup ketchup
  • cup brown sugar
  • cup bacon bits
  • cup crushed pineapple, drained
  • 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce, divided
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • cup dry bread crumbs
  • cup crushed saltine crackers
  • onion, minced
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • teaspoon salt
  • clove garlic, minced
  • teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, bacon bits, crushed pineapple, and 1 dash of Worcestershire sauce. Set this mixture aside.

Step 3: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, dry bread crumbs, crushed saltine crackers, minced onion, beaten egg, salt, minced garlic, black pepper, and the remaining 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Ensure all ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Transfer the beef mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Press the mixture down to form a loaf shape.

Step 5: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 6: After 30 minutes, remove the loaf from the oven. Pour the prepared pineapple glaze over the top of the meatloaf.

Step 7: Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink in the center. An instant-read thermometer should register at least 160F (70C) when inserted into the center of the loaf.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 401
  • Total Fat: 20g (26% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 8g (38% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 120mg (40% DV)
  • Sodium: 1047mg (46% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 31g (11% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g (3% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 21g
  • Protein: 25g (49% DV)
  • Vitamin C: 6mg (6% DV)
  • Calcium: 52mg (4% DV)
  • Iron: 3mg (17% DV)
  • Potassium: 350mg (7% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

Comments

Jason Cruz

10/12/2025 05:16:35 PM

This recipe was a huge hit with my family! I followed it exactly as written and wouldn't change a thing. Thank you for sharing!

Betty Wilson

10/15/2025 10:00:02 PM

This meatloaf recipe knocked it out of the park! My husband couldn't get enough, going back for seconds, thirds, and more. Previously, my favorite was the "Brown Sugar Meatloaf," which is delicious, but this one might just surpass it! It's not only scrumptious but also has a fantastic mouthfeel and texture. I decided to double the recipe and made a few tweaks - I used diced turkey bacon for the glaze instead of bacon bits and added a generous spoonful of Bacon Jam. Following the advice of other reviewers, I seasoned the meat with garlic powder, onion powder, a touch of "sopping sauce," and Adams House Seasoning. The cooking time was spot on! Without a doubt, the Best Meatloaf Ever!

Robert Ramirez

10/13/2025 06:46:55 PM

This recipe is fantastic! I made a few modifications based on the comments, but I believe it would still be delicious as written, so I'm giving it 5 stars. I added a pound of ground sausage, used Italian bread crumbs instead of crackers, fried half a pound of bacon, then sautéed a whole onion and half a bell pepper in the bacon grease. I saved some bacon for topping and mixed the rest into the meat mixture. Since I doubled the meat, I doubled all the ingredients, added extra garlic, and a dash of Texas Pete's Hot Sauce. I used an 8oz can of crushed pineapple without draining it, using the whole can. I made mini meatloaves to freeze for later since there are only two of us. They turned out super tasty! Thanks for sharing!

Deborah Rodriguez

10/15/2025 08:44:37 PM

I decided to enhance the flavor by adding extra seasoning to the recipe, as I was concerned it might be bland based on some reviews. To the meat mixture, I incorporated a few tablespoons of BBQ sauce, extra pineapple, ground chipotle powder, and some salt & pepper. This adjustment made a significant difference, introducing a nice subtle kick to the dish. I also included chipotle powder in the glaze mixture for added depth. A helpful tip I borrowed from another recipe was substituting crackers/bread crumbs with garlic croutons that I pulsed in the food processor until achieving coarse crumbs. These modifications elevated the dish, and I will definitely be using this recipe again!

Sandra Ramirez

10/12/2025 06:13:12 PM

I will definitely be making this recipe again. It turned out wonderfully delicious! I seasoned the meat with salt and pepper. When I realized I was out of ketchup for the glaze, I improvised with honey BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, a splash of soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. The end result was a caramelized glaze that added a fantastic flavor to the meatloaf!

Janet Davis

10/15/2025 11:21:57 AM

I followed the recipe to make the sauce and added diced green peppers, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and Worcestershire to the meatloaf. It was a delicious meal and very easy to prepare.

Steven Campbell

10/13/2025 12:37:20 AM

I had been searching for a new Meatloaf recipe that wasn't dull. This recipe was fabulous. I did make a few modifications. I used half Turkey burger and half spicy pork sausage to give it a twist. I have cooked this multiple times and usually prepare two so I can freeze one and bake it later. This has become our preferred Meatloaf recipe now.

Kevin Rodriguez

10/16/2025 10:51:15 AM

I give this recipe 4.5 stars for the topping. I customized it by using my own spice blend and incorporating chopped green peppers into the meat mixture. To make a larger meatloaf, I doubled the amount of ground beef and adjusted all the ingredients accordingly.

Janet Gomez

10/13/2025 06:30:58 PM

I absolutely adore this recipe! I opt for butter crackers over saltine crackers, and I also include a whole diced onion. Instead of beef, I use ground venison, which adds a unique flavor. Today, I plan on making this dish and adding a chopped jalapeño along with either cheddar or goat cheese. It's going to be delicious!

Jack Roberts

10/13/2025 08:55:34 PM

Rewritten review: This dish was undeniably flavorful and delicious, although I hesitate to dub it as "the best". It received a glowing endorsement from my 5-year-old, and my husband approved of the meat but found the topping a tad too sweet for his liking. A helpful tip for busy cooks: instead of starting with the topping, begin by preparing the meat first, allowing you to multitask - while the meat cooks in the oven for 30 minutes, you can concurrently work on the topping. This timesaving approach was a game-changer for me! Furthermore, next time, I would consider incorporating the bacon into the meat rather than as a topping; when placed atop, the bacon's flavor seemed overshadowed by the sweetness. Overall, experimenting with this recipe was an enjoyable experience. Thank you!

Ruth Rivera

10/13/2025 01:10:01 PM

I only made one adjustment by including 1/2 cup of chopped bacon - 1/4 cup in the meatloaf and the remaining 1/4 cup in the glaze. The result was delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

Jose Hall

10/15/2025 08:09:55 AM

I thought I made a really great meatloaf, but when I came across this recipe, I just had to give it a go. Not only is the meatloaf itself delicious, but the pineapple sauce on top really elevates it. The sauce might be too sweet for some people, but personally, I enjoyed it as is.

Justin Flores

10/14/2025 06:31:49 AM

This recipe was simple to follow and turned out delicious. It didn't need any adjustments.

Robert Flores

10/15/2025 05:28:09 AM

We followed the recipe precisely, and it turned out to be absolutely delicious! It has now become one of our top favorite meals. Thank you for sharing such a fantastic recipe!

Brandon Martin

10/15/2025 02:32:20 AM

I prefer the brown sugar meatloaf.

Jerry Martinez

10/13/2025 09:20:25 AM

This product is amazing, I absolutely love it.

Patricia Lopez

10/15/2025 03:03:42 AM

Absolutely scrumptious! The pineapple topping was a standout for me. I opted for chili sauce over ketchup, which added a fantastic kick to the dish.

Melissa Gonzalez

10/14/2025 04:04:06 PM

Double batch and didn't last past one day! Ended up having second and third servings.

Ryan Walker

10/16/2025 06:06:45 AM

The title speaks the truth. I thought my meatloaf was the best, but this one surpasses mine! It has a wonderful flavor. I have served it twice to guests...

Tyler Roberts

10/13/2025 08:08:47 PM

I made some adjustments to the meatloaf to match my usual recipe, and followed the sauce instructions to the letter. The result was absolutely delicious! I highly suggest preparing it this way. Even my kids couldn't get enough of it.