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A freshly baked old-school classic meatloaf, perfectly browned and sliced.

Old-School Classic Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

This classic meatloaf recipe features a savory blend of ground meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze. It's a comforting and hearty meal that's perfect for any night of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Loaf pan
  • Small skillet
  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf

  • 1.5 lbs Ground Meat 80/20 ground beef recommended, or a mix of beef, pork, and/or veal
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs plain or panko
  • 1 Egg large, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup Onion finely chopped
  • 2-3 Minced garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup Milk or beef broth
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp Dried herbs such as Italian seasoning or thyme
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Ketchup or Dijon mustard for the meatloaf mixture

Classic Glaze

  • 1/2 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Sauté Aromatics (Optional but Recommended)

  • Sauté the chopped onion in a small skillet until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute; let cool slightly.

Combine Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, cooled onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk or broth, salt, pepper, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tbsp ketchup or Dijon mustard.

Mix Gently

  • Mix the ingredients gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix to avoid a dense texture.

Form the Loaf

  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and press evenly, or shape it into an oblong loaf on a baking sheet.

Prepare the Glaze

  • Whisk together 1/2 cup ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to create the classic glaze.

Bake

  • Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

Apply Glaze

  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the prepared glaze evenly over the top.

Continue Baking

  • Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue baking for another 25-35 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Rest

  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure a moister result.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a dash of smoked paprika or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatloaf mixture. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal.