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A freshly baked Grandma’s classic meatloaf, sliced and ready to serve.

Grandma’s Classic Meatloaf

This classic meatloaf recipe, reminiscent of grandma's home cooking, is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any family dinner. Featuring a flavorful blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, it's topped with a sweet and tangy glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 slices

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Loaf pan or baking sheet
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 cup milk whole milk recommended
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 0.5 large onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup ketchup divided
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Glaze

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk, letting them sit for 5 minutes to absorb.
  • Add the ground beef, beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture and gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan or form into a 9x5 inch loaf shape directly on the baking sheet.

Cooking

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ketchup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar to create the glaze.
  • Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes.
  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven, spread the glaze evenly over the top, and return to the oven for another 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Resting

  • Once baked, remove the meatloaf and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure it remains moist.

Notes

For an extra moist meatloaf, ensure you don't overmix the ingredients. The resting period is crucial for the meatloaf to retain its juices and flavor. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal.