Best 9 Easy Classic Meat Loaf Recipes

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**Meatloaf: A Timeless Comfort Food with Endless Variations**

Meatloaf, a quintessential comfort food, has been a staple in kitchens for generations. This versatile dish allows for countless variations, each with its own unique blend of flavors and textures. From classic recipes that evoke nostalgic memories to modern interpretations that showcase innovative ingredients, meatloaf offers something for every palate. Whether you prefer a traditional beef-based loaf, a healthier turkey or chicken version, or a vegetarian alternative made with lentils or beans, there's a meatloaf recipe out there to satisfy your cravings. With its ease of preparation and adaptability to different dietary preferences, it's no wonder that meatloaf remains a beloved dish enjoyed by families and friends alike.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC BEEF MEATLOAF



Classic Beef Meatloaf image

What's better than a hearty meatloaf? This is a recipe that's easy and foolproof. No bells and whistles - just a few ingredients including beef, egg, bread crumbs and a simple tomato-based topping.

Provided by BIWFD

Categories     Entrée

Time 1h15m

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
3/4 cup ketchup, divided
1/2 cup minced onion
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine Ground Beef, bread crumbs, 1/2 cup ketchup, onion, egg, Worcestershire, garlic, thyme, pepper and salt in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape beef into 8 x 4-inch loaf on rack in aluminum foil-lined broiler pan.
  • Place on upper oven rack in 350°F oven. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, until instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 160°F; brush with remaining 1/4 cup ketchup during last 10 minutes, if desired. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280

EASY CLASSIC MEAT LOAF



Easy Classic Meat Loaf image

"My mother made this tender, moist meat loaf at least every other week-and always served it with scalloped potatoes. It was one of my favorite meals growing up." You'll be amazed by all the flavor from just a handful of pantry ingredients! Helen Lipko - Martinsburg, PA

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 egg, lightly beaten
1 can (5-1/2 ounces) V8 juice
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 envelope onion soup mix
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup ketchup

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the egg, V8 juice, bread crumbs, soup mix, cheese and garlic powder. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Pat into an ungreased 9x5-in. loaf pan., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50 minutes. Spread ketchup over top; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 236 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 679mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

MEAT LOAF



Meat Loaf image

Nothing says classic comfort like Ina Garten's Meatloaf recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon good olive oil
3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)
2 extra-large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

EASY MEATLOAF



Easy Meatloaf image

This is a very easy and no fail recipe for meatloaf. It won't take long to make at all, and it's quite good!

Provided by Janet Caldwell

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Meatloaf Recipes     Beef Meatloaf Recipes

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 egg
1 onion, chopped
1 cup milk
1 cup dried bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
⅓ cup ketchup

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and bread OR cracker crumbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and place in a lightly greased 9x5-inch loaf pan, or form into a loaf and place in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and ketchup. Mix well and pour over the meatloaf.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372.1 calories, Carbohydrate 18.5 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 334.6 mg, Sugar 8.5 g

CLASSIC MEATLOAF



Classic Meatloaf image

The secrets to this meatloaf are fresh, very finely diced vegetables that give it moisture and flavor--and a light touch in mixing together the ingredients. This hearty meatloaf is the perfect meal for cool fall and winter evenings, served with mashed potatoes and simple mushroom gravy.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Meatloaf Recipes     Beef Meatloaf Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 carrot, coarsely chopped
1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
½ onion, coarsely chopped
½ red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
4 white mushrooms, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 ½ pounds ground chuck
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
hot pepper sauce to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Place the carrot, celery, onion, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until very finely chopped, almost to a puree. Place the minced vegetables into a large mixing bowl, and mix in ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Add Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix gently with a wooden spoon to incorporate vegetables and egg into the meat. Pour in bread crumbs. With your hand, gently mix in the crumbs with your fingertips just until combined, about 1 minute.
  • Form the meatloaf into a ball. Pour olive oil into a baking dish and place the ball of meat into the dish. Shape the ball into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across.
  • Bake in the preheated oven just until the meatloaf is hot, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved.
  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven. With the back of a spoon, smooth the glaze onto the top of the meatloaf, then pull a little bit of glaze down the sides of the meatloaf with the back of the spoon.
  • Return meatloaf to oven, and bake until the loaf is no longer pink inside and the glaze has baked onto the loaf, 30 to 40 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Cooking time will depend on shape and thickness of the meatloaf.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.1 calories, Carbohydrate 14.8 g, Cholesterol 85.3 mg, Fat 14.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 21.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 755.4 mg, Sugar 5.3 g

CLASSIC MEATLOAF



Classic Meatloaf image

Keep this meatloaf recipe handy: It's the only one you'll need.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 pounds ground meatloaf mix (equal parts ground beef, pork and veal or turkey)
1 cup dried breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 medium onion, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons light brown sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  • Combine the meatloaf mix, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, onion, garlic, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix together until well combined.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and form it into a compact oval-shaped loaf about 9 inches by 5 inches. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
  • Stir the brown sugar together with the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire in a small bowl for the glaze. Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf all over with the glaze. Return to the oven and bake until the glaze starts to caramelize and a thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf registers 160 degrees F, about 25 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

CLASSIC MEAT LOAF



Classic Meat Loaf image

It's not fancy, and it doesn't use exotic ingredients...but this is quite simply the best old-fashioned meat loaf I've ever made.-Mary Rea, Orangeville, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h30m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup whole milk
3 slices whole wheat or white bread, cubed
1 large egg, beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chili sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 to 5 drops hot pepper sauce
2 pounds lean ground beef

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, pour milk over bread. Add egg, onion, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce; mix thoroughly. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape meat mixture into an 8x4-in. oval. , Bake in a shallow pan at 350° for 1-1/4 hours or until no pink remains. Drain.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 78mg cholesterol, Sodium 390mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 19g protein.

MEATLOAF



Meatloaf image

Originally created as a tasty way to use up leftover vegetables and to stretch meat further during lean times, meatloaf has become the ultimate comfort food. This one is a classic version, blending ground beef, pork and veal with simple pantry seasonings, but you should feel free to use your preferred combination of meat, such as half pork and half beef. Milk-soaked bread ensures a tender meatloaf, and baking it freeform - on a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan - provides more surface area for the tangy-sweet tomato glaze to caramelize as it bakes. Leftover slices can be crisped in a skillet and served with a salad or tucked into a sandwich. Alternatively, freeze one uncooked loaf for the next time you need to put dinner on the table with ease; simply thaw the night before and bake as directed.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories     dinner, meat, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings (2 loaves)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
5 large garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 (1/2-inch-thick) slices white sandwich bread (about 3 ounces), torn into small pieces
2/3 cup whole milk
3 large eggs
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf or curly parsley
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pound ground chuck beef
1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground veal
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Make the meatloaf: Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a rimmed baking sheet with oil. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste until well combined; let cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine bread and milk, and mash with a spoon until a paste forms. Add eggs, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme and cooled onion mixture and mix until well blended. Add the beef, pork and veal, and mix gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide mixture into 2 equal portions and shape each into a 4-by-8-inch meatloaf on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Use a spoon to spread mixture over the top and sides of each meatloaf. Bake until nicely browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of meatloaf registers 160 degrees, 45 to 55 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

CLASSIC MEATLOAF



Classic Meatloaf image

Good meatloaf is about as comforting as comfort food gets. Thankfully, meatloaf doesn't have to be complex to be good. It just needs to be tender (from breadcrumbs soaked in milk and gentle handling) and flavorful (from onion, garlic, and ketchup).

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 slices white sandwich bread
1/3 cup whole milk
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 medium onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg
1/2 cup ketchup
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place bread in food processor; pulse until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in milk. Set aside, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine beef, pork, onion, garlic, egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add bread-milk mixture, and mix very gently with a fork (do not overmix).
  • Place meat mixture on prepared baking sheet, and form into a loaf about 9 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide.
  • Bake, brushing twice with remaining 1/4 cup ketchup during baking, until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees, 45 to 55 minutes. Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 464 g, Fat 33 g, Protein 29 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right ground beef: Use a combination of 80% lean and 20% fat ground beef for a moist and flavorful meatloaf.
  • Season the beef thoroughly: Don't be shy with the seasonings! A good blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika will give your meatloaf tons of flavor.
  • Use bread crumbs or crackers for binding: Bread crumbs or crackers help to bind the meatloaf together and keep it moist.
  • Add some moisture: A splash of milk, beef broth, or tomato sauce will help to keep the meatloaf moist and prevent it from becoming dry.
  • Don't overmix the meatloaf: Overmixing can make the meatloaf tough. Just mix the ingredients until they are well combined.
  • Shape the meatloaf into a loaf: Use your hands to shape the meatloaf into a loaf shape. Make sure it is evenly shaped so that it cooks evenly.
  • Bake the meatloaf at a high temperature: Baking the meatloaf at a high temperature will help to create a nice crust on the outside and keep the inside moist.
  • Let the meatloaf rest before slicing: Let the meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meatloaf.

Conclusion:

Classic meatloaf is a simple but delicious dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meatloaf that your whole family will enjoy. So next time you're looking for an easy and comforting meal, give this classic meatloaf recipe a try.

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