Classic Beef Meatloaf that’s tender, juicy, easy to make and the only recipe you’ll ever need for this classic comfort food favorite recipe!
Cooking with ground beef is so popular because it is economical, easy, and kid friendly, just like Ultimate Sloppy Joes and Slow Cooker Beef Chili. This Dinner recipe is sure to be added to your regular rotation!
CLASSIC BEEF MEATLOAF
Classic Beef Meatloaf is that perfect comfort food for when you want a hearty, familiar, and slightly nostalgic dinner. Just like a Perfect Simple Roast Chicken, this meatloaf recipe is great for feeding a hungry family, and will also yield plenty of leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches (tips on that below). If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, there are also some unique meatloaf recipes on the the site including Philly Cheesesteak Meatloaf, Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf and Glazed Brown Sugar Meatloaf that your family is sure to love, too!
While it doesn’t seem like there is anything exciting or outrageous about this meatloaf (no cheese stuffing like in philly or cheeseburger versions), this meatloaf will be your ace in the hole for a classic, easy weeknight option. This easy meatloaf is really comfort food at it’s best. It is an American classic, served up with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables, maybe even a Wedge Salad.
One of the most common mistakes people make when making meatloaf (and hamburgers) is that they want to be sure the mixture is perfectly uniform so they will unintentionally over-mix the meat. This creates a denser meat which tastes firm and dry. For this recipe, you’ll mix all the ingredients together before adding to the beef, which helps to incorporate everything evenly without over-mixing.
HOW TO MAKE CLASSIC BEEF MEATLOAF:
- Make sure you have a ground beef with at least 15% beef fat.
- Soak you milk and breadcrumbs together in a large bowl. This will hydrate them to add more moisture to the meatloaf.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except for the beef and topping.
- Add in the beef and mix until just combined, handle the meat mixture as little as possible.
- Place beef into loaf pan and coat with topping mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, for 55-60 minutes in a loaf pan on a baking sheet.
MORE EASY GROUND BEEF RECIPES
Cheesy Taco Pasta
Classic Goulash
Ultimate Sloppy Joes
Ground Beef Tacos
WHAT MEAT TO SELECT FOR MEATLOAF
When it comes to deciding on the type of meat to use in your meatloaf the classic option is to use beef. A standard 80/20 will work fine, but will leave a bit more fat than most prefer. Use 85/15 and you will find it is tender and juicy.
If you go leaner than 85/15, you might find the flavors to be impacted by your choice of a leaner cut of meat. If you do want to use a leaner ground beef, just expect a slight difference in flavor and texture. A good trick with leaner beef is to grate the onions instead of mincing for extra moisture.
If you would like to swap protein you can of course use ground chicken or ground turkey. Check out this recipe for Turkey Meatloaf for more tips on using turkey.
You can also make a fully classic version of meatloaf where you mix proteins! This variation has also been tested with this recipe to make sure it would work perfectly for you.
Three Meat Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ pounds ground veal
- ¼ pounds ground pork
You can continue the rest of the recipe as directed using these ingredients in place of the 1 ½ pounds of ground beef. This classic three meat variation of meatloaf will add a depth of flavor that beef alone wouldn’t provide.
A bit more shopping, a bit more expensive (mainly because of the veal), but a classic is a classic for a reason, and the three meats combined together will make the meatloaf mixture authentic to your local Italian restaurant.
If you do try it with the added meats, you can make it worth the extra effort by doubling your recipe and rolling some of the mixture into meatballs (skip the thyme in that half of the recipe). Those meatballs simmered in Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce will be a quick way to do double meal prep duty in the kitchen.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CLASSIC BEEF MEATLOAF
Skillet Creamy Mac and Cheese
Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls
Roasted Broccoli
Twice Baked Potatoes
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VARIATIONS ON CLASSIC BEEF MEATLOAF
- Breadcrumbs: This recipe uses classic dried breadcrumbs for ease and availability, but you can use panko breadcrumbs (increase to 2 ⅓ cup), ground saltine crackers (cut salt in recipe by half if you do this), homemade breadcrumbs, or even just stale bread.
- Toppings: Personalize the toppings to your taste, especially if you prefer to lean more savory or sweet. Ketchup and brown sugar make a perfect sweet topping, or add in BBQ sauce, steak sauce, or even soy sauce for a more savory flavor.
- Meats: Swap ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef in this recipe, or follow the instructions above to make a classic mixed meat Italian meatloaf.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT MEATLOAF SANDWICH
The best thing about meatloaf is using leftovers for amazing sandwiches! Follow the instructions below to enjoy a second meal out of this recipe.
- The meatloaf must be fully chilled (preferably overnight).
- Slice into 1″ thick slices, taking care not to tear the slices.
- Melt a ½ tablespoon of butter in a nonstick pan on medium-high heat.
- Sear each side of your meatloaf for 3-5 minutes, using half the butter on each side, to form a deep crust.
- If using cheese, add your cheese to your meatloaf while searing the second side of the meat.
- Serve on a bun that’s been buttered then toasted.
Ingredients
- 1 cups whole milk
- 1 cups bread crumbs
- 1 large eggs
- 1/2 yellow onion , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef , (85/15)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl whisk together the milk and breadcrumbs together until the milk is absorbed.
- Whisk in the eggs, onion, salt, thyme and pepper.
- Add in the beef and mix with your hands until the ingredients are combined and add to a 9x5 loaf pan.
- In a small bowl mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and mustard and spread over the meatloaf.
- Bake, uncovered, for 60-65 minutes on a baking sheet (to prevent oil from spilling over into the oven).
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Photos from a previous version of this post.
No matter what I do, and as many times over the years I’ve made meatloaf it always falls apart when I try to slice it. What am I doing wrong?
Add in the beef and mix until just combined, handle the meat mixture as little as possible. Remember to bake uncovered.
Wow this is so flavorful and easy to make! Thanks!
Made this for dinner last night and loved how it turned out! So delicious and easy to make.
BEST MEATLOAF EVER!!! I’ve made this recipe many times and it’s just so easy to make and has so much flavor.
I liked this but next time would use half the milk (so moist it has hard time forming by end of cooking) and probably add some garlic salt. Also omitted ketchup from the glaze to go for more savory than sweet and it was a good bet. Sprinkling with creole seasoning just before serving was the perfect complement.
This is another recipe that is different from what’s in the book Dinner then Dessert. I frankly found the book recipe very disappointing, revolting even. Online there is a lot more info like about breadcrumbs. (I used fresh bread grated into breadcrumbs. No info in the book about using dried breadcrumbs) and there was more thyme and no ketchup and No mustard. I think the last two ingredients would have made the recipe MUCH better. I guess you cut them out to keep the ingredients to a total of 7 but if it makes the recipe inedible I wouldn’t have included it in that book!
Hi Sabrina,
I admit I’m a bit confused. The ingredients measurements in the recipe above are apparently for a 1&1/2 lb meatloaf (as that what the recipe calls for) but this is supposed to be a 3 lb meatloaf (which is what I’m making). Do I just double all the amounts on everything or has that been adjusted except you forgot to adjust the meat measurement in said recipe amounts above. Help!
Sorry about the confusion. I just adjusted the text to read correctly. If you’re wanting to make a 3 meat meatloaf, use 1 pound ground beef and 1/4 pound each of the other two. Thanks for letting me know that needed to be edited. Enjoy!
I have a question about the amount of beef…it’s says 3 pounds…I’m making it now and I used the 3 pounds it called for and it was more than the 9×5 pan could hold…has anyone else had that problem? Is it supposed to cook 2 meatloafs? The only thing i did different was I used oyster crackers instead of bread crumbs.
I think my pan was actually bigger, so sorry. I’ve rested and adjusted the recipe card to read correctly. Thank you for letting me know.
Hi Sabrina
I need to use Imperial weights for my cooking but otherwise I love your recipes. Meatloaf today yum yum
So glad you’re able to adapt. 🙂
Oh, my goodness! I haven’t had a meatloaf sandwich in years, and now I’m totally craving one. This meatloaf looks great!!!
Thanks, Jocelyn!
This recipe is so similar to our family’s favorite over the generations! I got a little tired of it growing up, so when we got married, I was sure I was going to find a better one. But, we were soon back to this as our all-time favorite … and we’ll be celebrating 35 years of marriage, 5 children, and 9 grandchildren this year! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
We substitute 1 c. quick oatmeal for the bread crumbs, to ramp up the nutrition a bit. And, we add one shredded carrot — it adds nutrition and flavor, it looks pretty, and carrots go so well with beef!
Our topping recipe is 1/2 c. ketchup, 1/4 c. mustard, and 3/8 c. brown sugar whisked together and then spread on top.
Sabrina, I love your site! It’s my go-to so many times a week!!
Thank you so much, Rachel! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the site.
There is nothing more valuable than an easy and delicious meatloaf recipe! Thank you! I can’t wait to try this.
It’s such a great classic.
Such a fantastic classic meatloaf! My family would love this!!
So delicious and easy – this is my family’s favorite! It came out perfect, not dry or tough like other meatloaf.
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed it, Courtney.
This is the ultimate comfort food! Thank you for a delicious recipe!
You’re welcome, Lauren.