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The best meatloaf recipe – juicy, tender, with a sweet and tangy glaze
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The Best Meatloaf

This truly is the best meatloaf recipe! Incredibly juicy, tender, and packed with flavor from sautéed onions, fresh parsley, and Italian seasoning. It's topped with a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully. An easy, foolproof comfort food classic that the whole family will love. For another classic comfort food, try our Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best meatloaf recipe, homemade meatloaf, juicy meatloaf
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 338kcal
Author: Angela

Equipment

  • Rimmed Baking Sheet For baking the meatloaf free-form.
  • Instant-Read Thermometer Essential for checking doneness accurately.
  • Large Mixing Bowl For combining ingredients.
  • Skillet For sautéing onions.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef (85% or 80% lean)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 0.75 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 0.33 cup milk
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
  • 0.75 cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1.5 tsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and golden. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine ground beef, sautéed onions, eggs, garlic, 2 tbsp ketchup, parsley, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Do not overmix.
  • Transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet and shape into a loaf, about 8x4x3 inches. Bake for 40 minutes.
  • While meatloaf bakes, make glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • After 40 minutes, spread glaze evenly over meatloaf. Return to oven and bake for another 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  • Let meatloaf rest on the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Notes

Pro Tips: The #1 secret to a moist meatloaf is to DO NOT OVERMIX – mix ingredients just until combined. Use 80% or 85% lean ground beef for the best flavor and moisture. Sauté the onions to soften their flavor and ensure a better texture. Baking free-form on a sheet pan creates delicious crispy edges. Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. For the most accurate doneness, use an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 160°F for beef.