Here’s a classic, hearty Meatloaf recipe—simple, comforting, and perfect for family dinners. 🍖
🍖 Classic Meatloaf
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1½ lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef, pork, and veal)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup ketchup (plus extra for topping)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Make the Meat Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix to keep it tender).
3️⃣ Shape and Top
- Press the mixture into a loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a baking sheet.
- Spread extra ketchup on top for a sweet glaze.
4️⃣ Bake
- Bake 50–60 minutes until the meatloaf is cooked through (internal temperature ~160°F / 71°C).
5️⃣ Rest and Serve
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or roasted vegetables.
💡 Tips
- For extra flavor, mix in ½ cup shredded cheddar or cooked bacon bits.
- Mini meatloaves can be baked in a muffin tin for quicker cooking.
- Use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs or panko for a different texture.
I can also give a slow-cooker meatloaf recipe that stays juicy and hands-off, perfect for busy nights. Do you want me to do that?
