Description
This Classic Meatloaf recipe is a comforting and hearty dish made with ground beef, seasoned with onions, garlic, Italian herbs, and oats for texture. Topped with a flavorful ketchup-based glaze, this meatloaf is perfect for a satisfying family dinner and pairs well with various sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced (about 1 cup diced)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅔ cup quick-cooking oats
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, finely diced onion, minced garlic, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, quick-cooking oats, milk, fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to gently mix all these ingredients together until well combined, being careful not to overwork the meat for a tender texture.
- Form loaf: On a casserole pan or a rimmed baking sheet, shape the meat mixture into a roughly 9×5 inch loaf. Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture into a loaf pan to shape it evenly.
- Brush glaze: In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and coconut or brown sugar to create the glaze. Brush this glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf to add sweetness and flavor as it bakes.
- Cook: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake it for 50 to 60 minutes. The meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). This ensures it is fully cooked and safe to eat while remaining juicy.
- Slice and serve: After removing the meatloaf from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Then slice the meatloaf into portions and serve hot, ideal with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Do not over-mix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing helps retain juiciness.
- You can substitute ground beef with a beef and pork mix for richer flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure oats are certified gluten-free.
- The glaze can be adjusted in sweetness by altering the sugar quantity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Classic Meatloaf, Ground Beef Meatloaf, Comfort Food, Easy Meatloaf Recipe, Baked Meatloaf
