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Best America’s Most Beloved Classic Meatloaf Recipe

America’s Most Beloved Classic Meatloaf is a timeless comfort food made with juicy ground beef, onions, herbs, and a sweet-savory ketchup glaze. This easy homemade meatloaf recipe delivers tender slices, rich flavor, and nostalgic appeal that makes it perfect for family dinners any night of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • 1 cup onion finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs panko preferred
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with foil.
  2. In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, onion, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, garlic, half the ketchup, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning until just combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it into the prepared pan.
  4. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and remaining ketchup to form the glaze.
  5. Spread half of the glaze over the meatloaf and bake for 45 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven, spread remaining glaze on top, and return to bake for another 15–30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  7. Let the meatloaf rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Mix gently to avoid a dense texture. Always let the meatloaf rest before slicing to keep it juicy. A meat thermometer ensures perfect doneness.