• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×

Home » Recipes » Beef

Homemade Meatloaf Recipe

Published: Feb 20, 2023 Last Updated: Mar 22, 2023 by Marye 2353 words. | About 12 minutes to read this article.

This moist, homemade meatloaf recipe is old fashioned comfort food. The sweet, tangy glaze is the secret! 5 minutes prep time and it freezes well, too!
Total time 1 hour 15 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Homemade meatloaf with a tomato glaze on a serving dish. Text overlay for pinning to Pinterest.
Closeup of sliced meatloaf glazed with a sweet sauce. Text overlay for pinning to Pinterest.

This easy recipe stays together and has the best brown sugar glaze you've ever tasted!

Be sure to read my tips for freezing!

Meatloaf slices on a white plate.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • ⏲️ How long to cook meatloaf
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 🧊 Can you freeze meatloaf?
  • 🎥 Video
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 💧How to make a moist meatloaf
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions
  • 📖 Variations
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • Old Fashioned Meatloaf
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • There is minimal prep time and meatloaf ingredients are simple and obtainable.
  • You can make it ahead.
  • It freezes well - double the recipe and freeze half for another meal.

There is nothing that says home like a good, old fashioned meatloaf.

It's basic, easy, and budget friendly.

It's old fashioned goodness like this and classic pot roast that really stirs up memories for me. It defines many of  our childhoods -- those days of  kickball, riding bikes, and coming in when the streetlights came on

I've been making meatloaf for years and this is the best I've tried - and that includes my favorite Cracker Barrel version!

I love serving a homemade meatloaf with jalapeno cheese grits, noodles Romanoff or fried potatoes for a real vintage meal. Give it a try!

🧾 Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for homemade meatloaf.
All the ingredients you need to make the perfect meatloaf!
  • You can use any type of diced tomatoes from the type with chilis to the type with Italian seasoning for different flavor variations.
  • I used seasoned salt but you can use salt and pepper if you like.
  • I use the 90% lean ground beef because I like less fat. See the notes in the tips section.
  • If you don't have balsamic then apple cider vinegar works fine.

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Steps for mixing and forming the meatloaf recipe.
Steps for mixing the meatloaf recipe.
  1. Saute the onions and green peppers. This isn't essential but it does give them a nice flavor.
  2. Add the ingredients to a large bowl.
  3. Mix gently until completely mixed.
  4. Press half of the mixture into each loaf pan.
Step by step images for making the glaze and glazing the meatloaf.
Glazing this meatloaf recipe gives it extra flavor.
  1. Bake for 1 hour. About 15 minutes before the meat loaves are done mix the glaze.
  2. Remove the meatloaves from the oven.
  3. Brush the brown sugar glaze OR about ¼ cup catsup on the top of each if desired. Return to the oven.
  4. When loaves are done (160F in center) remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Wondering what to serve with it? Check out these ideas for what to serve with cabbage rolls. Most of them work here, too.

⏲️ How long to cook meatloaf

Sometimes you may need to cook homemade meatloaf at a different temperature than called for (like if you have another dish baking alongside it) which will usually change the time.

The main thing to remember is the finished meatloaf should be at about 160F when you check the internal temperature AND you should let it rest about 10 minutes to come up to a full 165F.

Here is table of times and temperatures for homemade meatloaf-

32565-75 minutes
35060 -70 minutes
37555-65 minutes
40045-55 minutes

🥫 Storage

This easy meatloaf stores really well. You can even assemble it a day or two ahead of time and bake when you're ready to serve.

Cooked meatloaf should be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

And y'all... there's nothing better than a "next day sandwich" made with a slice of this between two slices of buttermilk bread!

🧊 Can you freeze meatloaf?

You absolutely can!

In fact you can freeze it cooked or uncooked depending on which works better for you.

To freeze before baking

  1. Line a loaf pan with waxed paper.
  2. Assemble the ingredients according to instructions in the recipe but leave off the glaze.
  3. Place in the freezer and freeze.
  4. Once frozen remove the meatloaf by pulling up the waxed paper.
  5. Wrap the waxed paper around the frozen meatloaf and then either vacuum seal (best) or wrap tightly with aluminum foil and return to the freezer.

You will need to place it in a baking dish and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Once thawed you'll just follow the recipe.

This is fine to freeze for up to 6 months.

To freeze baked

I like to slightly undercook this meatloaf before freezing so it finishes cooking while I'm warming it up. I'll take it out when the center registers 155F on an instant read or meat thermometer.

  1. Bake meatloaf as directed in recipe.
  2. Remove when the center registers 155F.
  3. Let cool.
  4. Vacuum seal (best) or wrap in waxed paper and then seal in aluminum foil for up to 6 months.

Thaw overnight and bake until the center is 160F.

🎥 Video

Just click on the image below if you'd like to see the full length video on YouTube. It opens in a new tab so you won't lose your place here.

Cover image for the how to make meatloaf video on YouTube. Click image to go to the video.
Click to go to the YouTube tutorial on how to make this meatloaf recipe.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Saute the onion and peppers before mixing them into the meatloaf mixture. It gives a little more flavor.

  • Be sure not to overwork the meat mixture or pack it together too hard! It will make it tough -and you want a juicy meatloaf.
  • BUT makes sure that ingredients are mixed in very well.
  • I prefer 90/10 ground beef for a leaner meatloaf. You can use 80/20 or 85/15 if you prefer. Be sure to drain off the grease.
  • You can use all ground beef or any ground meat (ground pork, ground turkey, ground venison, ground lamb, ground chicken...) - you could even use a mixture.
  • Many classic meatloaf recipes use a mixture of ground beef, ground pork, and ground lamb in equal measures.
  • Italian seasoned breadcrumbs are fabulous in this easy meatloaf recipe!
  • If you don't saute the onions and peppers just make sure you chop them small so they cook all the way throug

I like to add just a little sweet-spicy glaze to the top about 15 minutes before it's ready to come out of the oven. I think it looks pretty and adds a little extra kick but you can leave it completely off if you like.

💧How to make a moist meatloaf

This is the best meatloaf recipe ever as long as you don't overcook it and cause it to be dry. Here are a couple of thoughts on making homemade meatloaf that's not dry.

  1. Use 80/20 ground beef so you have more fat... OR...
  2. Use more liquids.
  3. Some people believe that milk makes for a better meatloaf.
  4. Don't overcook it! Interior temperature should be 160F. Let it stand on the counter for 10 minutes before serving. During that time it will continue to cook to 165 and it will firm up.

I like to use 90/10 ground beef for my homemade meatloaf recipe. I just don't like all the fat. I'd suggest making the same recipe a couple of times and using a different percentage of fat each time to see what you like best.

For me that's 90% lean ground beef. Flavorful, moist, and no fat swimming around the meat when it's done cooking.

I used Italian diced tomatoes, Italian breadcrumbs, and minced garlic in this recipe and those help with the moistness, as well.

Overhead view of sliced, glazed meatloaf.
Serve this easy meatloaf recipe alongside a big scoop of mashed potatoes!

👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Why does my homemade meatloaf fall apart?

Usually it's because you are cutting into it when it's still too warm. Let homemade meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
When you use 80% lean ground beef and the proportions of breadcrumbs, eggs, and liquids aren't right then that may make it fall apart as well.

Are breadcrumbs necessary for meatloaf?

No but they do help classic meatloaf stay tender and juicy while still holding together. If you don't have breadcrumbs you could substitute cracker crumbs or quick oats.

What can I use if I don't have a meatloaf pan?

You can bake this easy meatloaf on a rimmed baking sheet or a 13x9 inch baking dish.

📖 Variations

  • Some people like to use 50/50 ground pork and ground beef.
  • You can use cracker crumbs in place of the breadcrumbs. Saltines or Ritz crackers are delicious!
  • This is a great place to hide leftover vegetables.
  • If you'd like crispy edges form the meat mixture into a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet rather than baking it in a loaf pan.
  • Use different types of canned, diced tomatoes to add different flavors. Try Ro*Tel with chiles, or diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, or fire roasted diced tomatoes!
  • Don't feel like making the glaze? Use barbecue sauce or plain catsup instead (but this meatloaf glaze is really the best ever!).
  • Old fashioned chili sauce is a delicious glaze as well.
  • You can forgo the glaze and just brush it with teriyaki sauce if you like.

📚 Related recipes

There's just something about sitting down to a dinner that stirs up childhood memories. I love pho, and ramen, and Whataburger but they just don't satisfy in the way that my mom's homemade meatloaf recipe does!

Here are more of those kinds of recipes that I love.

  • Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Stuffed Bell Peppers have all the things you love about meatloaf AND all the best from stuffed peppers!
  • Air Fryer Keto Meatloaf is a quick and easy recipe when you need a quick dinner for one or two.
  • Or, try this hamburger steak with the most delicious gravy ever!
  • Creamy slow cooker salisbury steak is like meatloaf with a rich mushroom sauce. So good!
  • A serving of salisbury steak being lifted from a slow cooker.
    Crockpot Salisbury Steak
  • A ladle filled with a serving of swiss steak.
    Crockpot Swiss Steak
  • Serving of Ground Beef Dorito Casserole on white plate.
    Ground Beef Dorito Casserole
  • Overview of a panful of Spanish rice.
    Spanish Rice with Leftover Rice

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Mom's Baked Macaroni and Cheese is more gooey than creamy. Big chunks of melty cheddar, tender macaroni, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
  • I love this classic southern meatloaf recipe with a serving of smothered green beans, maple roasted carrots, or this creamy broccoli casserole on the side.
  • Mashed potatoes are the perfect rich and creamy side dish!
  • Creamy Corn Casserole Recipe is a cheesy, creamy southern side dish.

🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • These loaf pans are especially made for meatloaf! They have a strainer so you can lift the loaf right out and leave the grease behind!
  • I love these mixing bowls. You'll need the large one to mix this up easily.

📞 The last word

Southern style, classic comfort food straight from Mom's kitchen! We love it with a side of mashed potatoes, southern fried cabbage or pasta con broccoli.

It's an old fashioned, easy meatloaf recipe and definitely budget friendly! Tomato-y, beefy goodness!

Y'all, double this and make two - the leftovers are even better the next day. This make the BEST meatloaf sandwiches ever.

Serve with a couple of these cloverleaf rolls, hot and steaming from the oven or garlic breadsticks, and a big bowl of this southern creamed corn or creamed cabbage.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Close up of sliced meatloaf with glaze on top for feature image.
4.69 from 85 votes

Old Fashioned Meatloaf

Print Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
Prevent your screen from going dark
This moist, homemade meatloaf recipe is old fashioned comfort food. The sweet, tangy glaze is the secret! 5 minutes prep time and it freezes well, too!
Course Main
Cuisine Amercian Heritage
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings:8
Calories:314
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • loaf pans
  • insta-read thermometer

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds 90/10 ground beef, or your favorite (85/15, 80/20, etc.)
  • ½ cup onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup green pepper, chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoons salt, or seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoons cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 cups Italian bread crumbs
  • 14.5 ounces Italian style diced tomatoes, or Ro*Tel
  • ⅓ cup spicy catsup

Glaze

  • ¼ cup spicy catsup
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Spray two loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Set aside.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to a large bowl and mix gently until completely mixed.
  • Press half of the mixture into each loaf pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour.
  • About 15 minutes before the meat loaves are done brush the glaze OR about ¼ cup catsup on the top of each if desired. Return to the oven.
  • When loaves are done (160F in center) remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Glaze

  • Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Notes

Here is table of times and temps for homemade meatloaf-
325 65-75 minutes
350 60 -70 minutes
375 55-65 minutes
400 45-55 minutes
 
It freezes well for 5-6  months baked or unbaked. Let thaw overnight before warming up or baking
Expert Tip: Saute the onion and peppers before mixing them into the meatloaf mixture. It gives a little more flavor.
  • Be sure not to overwork the meat mixture or pack it together too hard! It will make it tough
  • BUT makes sure that ingredients are mixed in very well.
  • I prefer 90/10 ground beef for a leaner meatloaf. You can use 80/20 or 85/15 if you prefer.
  • You can use all ground beef or any ground meat (ground pork, ground turkey, ground venison, ground lamb, ground chicken...) - you could even use a mixture.
  • Italian seasoned breadcrumbs are fabulous in this easy meatloaf recipe!
  • If you don't saute the onions and peppers just make sure you chop them small so they cook all the way through.
  • If you'd like crispy edges form the meat mixture into a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet rather than baking it in a loaf pan.
  • Use different types of canned, diced tomatoes to add different flavors. Try Ro*Tel with chiles, or diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, or fire roasted diced tomatoes!
  • Don't feel like making the glaze? Use bbq sauce or plain catsup instead (but this meatloaf glaze is really the best ever!).
  • Old fashioned chili sauce is a delicious glaze as well.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 745mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

    First published April 27, 2016. Last updated February 20, 2023 for more helpful tips and information.

    More Hearty Beef Recipes

    • Close up of a plateful of million dollar pasta with cheese on top.
      Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
    • Closeup of a glazed meatball on a fork.
      Honey Garlic Meatballs
    • A closeup of pot roast on a plate.
      Perfect Pot Roast: Easy Family Favorite
    • Closeup of a serving of casserole.
      Garlic Bread Casserole
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Randy Bennett

      November 12, 2022 at 6:35 am

      5 stars
      Meatloaf looks delicious. I love a good meatloaf.

      Reply
    2. Dennis

      November 07, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      Try using stovetop stuffing instead of Italian crackers and one and a half pounds ground beef and half a pound pork sausage I like using the Jimmy Dean brand and I use the the hot sausage it is much better and firmer

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    Primary Sidebar

    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

    NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

    More about me →

    🐰 Easter

    • Closeup of a finished roll for the feature image.
      Easy Easter Rolls
    • Easter chicks cookies in a dish.
      Nutter Butter Easter Chicks
    • Very close shot of pineapple casserole showing the texture of the cracker crumb topping.
      Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe
    • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
      Banana Pudding Recipe from Scratch

    👑 Reader Favorites

    • A marble plate displays a strawberry bundt cake with 2 slices cut to show the red cake color.
      Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
    • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
      Crispy Fried Potatoes
    • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
      English Muffin Bread Recipe
    • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
      No Fail Amish White Bread

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Marye Audet-White
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

    Featured in:

    Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

    Contact Marye

    • Contact

    My new blog for bread bakers:

    Love baking bread? Click here to check out my new blog!

    Logo for breadcrumbs in the butter blog.
    Check out my new blog!

    Copyright ©2006 - 2023 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC