This really is the BEST Meatloaf Recipe out there! It has never received less than a 5-star rating and receives RAVE reviews from everyone who tries it. Moist and delicious, this easy-to-make meatloaf with sweet ketchup glaze will leave you wanting more. Delicious served with mashed potatoes and maple glazed carrots.
Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There’s a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.
Why You’ll Love This Moist Meatloaf Recipe
You’re ten simple ingredients away from making the best meatloaf ever! This is a classic recipe that is easy to follow and the sweet ketchup glaze is quite literally the icing on the top. If you’re hesitant about cooking or have never made meatloaf before, worry not! Read through this post to get all my tips and tricks for a delicious meal. Pay special attention to my milk and bread crumbs tip because THAT is the KEY to this tender meatloaf.
- Ground Beef– I like to use ground beef with a slightly higher fat content for this recipe. By doing so helps make this meatloaf moist and tender. I aim to find 80/20.
- Onion
- Bread Crumbs– seasoned bread crumbs
- Eggs
- Milk– adds moisture. Whole or 2% is preferred.
- Seasoning (Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning)
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire
- Ketchup + Brown Sugar (for glaze on top)
Form Your Meatloaf Log and Add the Glaze
Form into a long log on the prepared baking sheet and flatten the top. It should fill the pan lengthwise.
Whisk ketchup together with brown sugar and spread over the top of the meatloaf.
What Can I Put on Top of Meatloaf Instead of Ketchup? I kept things easy by glazing this meatloaf recipe with a combination of ketchup and brown sugar. Ketchup is a simple yet traditional topping to meatloaf that locks in the moisture while also providing its signature sweet vinegary taste. If you don’t like ketchup or for whatever reason don’t want to use ketchup as a glaze, here are a few other options: BBQ sauce, Grated Cheddar Cheese, Marinara Sauce (for an Italian meatloaf), Salsa (for a Mexican inspired meatloaf), Strips of Bacon or Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Bake covered with foil at 350° F until cooked all the way through to at least 160° F. Feel free to remove the foil after about 40 minutes of cooking to really caramelize that glaze. Top with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve.
The general rule of thumb here is to cook a meatloaf 30 minutes per pound of beef. This is at the oven temperature of 350° F. Cooking times will vary because no two ovens are alike. Plus the thinner and flatter you make your loaf the quicker it will cook. I baked mine for about an hour, you may need more time.
The Perfect Meatloaf Recipe – 3 Secrets to the Best Meatloaf Ever
FAQ
What happens if you don’t add milk to meatloaf?
What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?
What is the best binder for meatloaf?
How do you make a meatloaf more moist?
Follow this tip: For a more moist meatloaf, soak the bread in milk until it becomes thick and mushy before blending the mixture together. 5. Not resting the meat. Just like other types of meat, it’s best to let the meatloaf rest before cutting into it. This gives the juices time to redistribute and settle.
Should you soak bread before cooking meatloaf?
Not soaking the bread. Stale bread is an essential ingredient in meatloaf, as it works to bind the meat together. But blending in dry bread will take away some of the moisture from the meat. Follow this tip: For a more moist meatloaf, soak the bread in milk until it becomes thick and mushy before blending the mixture together.
Does stale bread make meatloaf moist?
Stale bread is an essential ingredient in meatloaf, as it works to bind the meat together. But blending in dry bread will take away some of the moisture from the meat. Follow this tip: For a more moist meatloaf, soak the bread in milk until it becomes thick and mushy before blending the mixture together. 5. Not resting the meat.
What makes a good meatloaf?
A blend of meat gives a nice well rounded flavor. Super Moist: No one wants a dry meatloaf. This one has a ton of moisture thanks to vegetables, eggs, and milk, plus the combination of different types of meat. Vegetables: You’ll add lots of veggies (of course!): onions, carrots, celery, and garlic.