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A freshly baked healthy ground beef meatloaf, perfectly sliced to show its texture.

Ultimate Healthy Ground Beef Meatloaf

This ultimate healthy ground beef meatloaf recipe is a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for any occasion. Made with lean ground beef and packed with vegetables, it's a flavorful and satisfying dish the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Loaf Pan
  • Baking Sheet
  • Small Skillet
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf

  • 1.5 lbs Lean Ground Beef (90/10 or 93/7)
  • 1 medium Onion finely diced
  • 1 medium Carrot finely grated or very finely diced
  • 1 Celery Stalk finely diced
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup Rolled Oats (certified gluten-free if needed)
  • 0.25 cup Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp Dried Herbs (e.g., Italian seasoning, thyme, or oregano)

Glaze

  • 0.25 cup Ketchup (low-sugar if preferred, for topping/glaze)
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar (optional, for topping/glaze)
  • 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar (for topping/glaze)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Sauté the diced onion, carrot, and celery in olive oil for 5-7 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic for the last minute and let cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
  • Add the ground beef, cooled vegetables, rolled oats, dried herbs, salt, and pepper to the wet ingredients.
  • Gently mix all ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix to prevent a tough meatloaf.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan or shape into a free-form loaf on the baking sheet.

Cooking & Glazing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar (if using), and apple cider vinegar for the glaze.
  • Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
  • Remove the meatloaf, spread the glaze evenly over the top, and return to the oven to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Resting

  • Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture. This meatloaf pairs well with mashed potatoes or a fresh green salad.