Best Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

This meatloaf recipe will change the way you think about meatloaf! Rich, moist, and loaded with chopped vegetables, this hearty dish is sure to become a family favorite!

Best Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients

This is a classic meatloaf recipe with meat, breadcrumbs, vegetables, and ketchup in the meatloaf as well as a glaze. Each ingredient is a pantry staple and something that is easily accessible at the local store. It is nothing too fancy but tastes like you are rich in every bite!

• Protein – Lean ground beef and ground pork are cooked together making this extra tender and soft on the inside.
• Bread crumbs – Add texture to the meatloaf with breadcrumbs. Some breadcrumbs come in flavors for an extra boost if wanted.
• Flour – The flour will help soak in some of the juices from the meat but also leave it thick and plump in the mixture.
• Vegetable oil – Pour oil into the pan to saute vegetables. The oil softens and adds flavor to the vegetables as it is cooking them.
• Onion – Finely chop onions to make for added crunch and flavor.
• Garlic – Minced garlic adds that nutty and raw flavor that balances the flavors together.
• Red bell pepper – Chop into small pieces to add in more variety of vegetables.
• Carrot – Grated fresh carrots give subtle texture as well as flavor to the meatloaf itself. It also adds a beautiful coloring to the meat when sliced.
• Eggs – This is known as the binder of the meatloaf or the glue. It holds together the meatloaf combination and keeps it from falling apart.
• Whole milk – Thickens and gives a creamy texture and taste when baked.
• Ketchup – The famous ketchup ingredient that makes every meatloaf a traditional one. Ketchup will go on top and in the meat too.
• Seasoning – Add in garlic powder and onion powder for a flavor boost.

How to Make Homemade Meatloaf Recipe

Make this homemade meatloaf tonight for your family and see how pleasantly surprised they are with this amazing recipe. It is one of a kind and full of all flavors. It is moist and tender with a sweet and savory taste to it. You can’t go wrong with this easy meatloaf recipe.

1. Mix – Place ground beef and pork in a large bowl. Stir breadcrumbs and flour into the meatloaf mix.
2. Sauté – Heat oil in a frying pan on the stove over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, red pepper, and carrot. Sauté until onions are translucent.
3. Whisk – In a medium-sized bowl, whisk eggs with milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
4. Combine – Stir the whisked egg mixture, the sautéed veggies, and the ketchup into the meat. It will be thick, so use a strong wooden spoon or your hands to mix it all in (Tip: Use kitchen gloves to keep your hands clean!). Press the seasoned meat into a loaf pan, as pictured.
5. Cook in the oven – Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread ketchup over the top of the loaf. Bake an additional 45 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160 degrees.

Keep the Glaze Simple

The glaze on your meatloaf doesn’t need to be anything fancy. I have seen some glazes that require over a dozen ingredients and it’s just not necessary. All you really need is ketchup. In the recipe, we use glaze for the top but you can definitely add more to taste if you are a ketchup lover. The only time we don’t use ketchup is if we smoke it. When smoking it, will sometimes use a BBQ sauce glaze instead, just to enhance the smoky flavor.

Time and Temperature

Make it a Gluten-Free Meatloaf

The easiest way to make this gluten-free (or GF) is to simply swap out the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can also use GF soda crackers and crush them. You definitely want to make a substitution rather than leaving the crumbs out completely because you will need something to bind it all together. However, DO NOT try using oats. I tried this and learned the hard way. It will all fall apart. Stick with GF breadcrumbs, crackers, or croutons.

Modifications of Meatloaf

Sometimes we don’t always have everything on the ingredient list or need to improvise on who we are feeding the meatloaf to. Try a few of these special modifications to help keep the flavor and deliciousness of the meatloaf but create what is best for your family!

• Protein – Try it with veal, or ground turkey for a turkey meatloaf.
• Traditional meatloaf – Always a traditional flavor is a fresh parsley or thyme that everyone loves to add to their homemade meatloaf. Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar are usually on that list of ingredients as well.
• Vegetable – Instead of the medium onion you can use celery cut up and still have the soft and watery vegetable for flavor and texture in the meatloaf.

Tips For Making The Perfect Classic Meatloaf

Follow these tips to make the best classic meatloaf yet! It is simple to make and with these extra helpful ideas, this meatloaf will come together even better. Learn what the best type of meat is, preparing, cutting, and what the best glaze to use. It is all you need to know!

• Meat – First, start with good quality, 85/15 beef and/or pork. Try to steer clear of super low-fat varieties, because this can make the meatloaf dry and crumbly. A little extra fat in the meat can help maintain its shape and give it more moisture and flavor. Varieties with too much fat will make it greasy and fall apart. 85/15 seems to be the perfect blend.
• Prepare pan – Line your pan with parchment paper or use cooking spray to make it easier to get it out of the pan once it is fully cooked.
• Cut evenly – Make sure your veggies are diced nice and small, so they sauté evenly.
• Keep the ketchup! We have had readers omit the ketchup from this recipe but it has turned out dry. Ketchup is sweet and when baked it can turn into a gorgeous glaze.
• Cooling – Let the meatloaf rest for about five to seven minutes before slicing, this allows all the juices to redistribute after cooking.

Smoked Meatloaf

If you own a smoker, I highly recommend smoking your meatloaf. It is incredible and it’s so EASY to do! Follow these simple steps to make this meatloaf in the smoker at home. Take your meatloaf to the next level!

1. Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F.
2. Follow the recipe below to step 4 (but don’t put the meat in a loaf pan).
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and form your meat mixture into a loaf shape.
4. Insert meat instant-read thermometer and smoke at 250 degrees for 45 minutes.
5. Brush with ketchup (or BBQ sauce) and continue to smoke basting every 30-60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. This will take up to 3-4 hours.
6. Remove and allow it to rest for 10 minutes or so before slicing.

“Such a family classic! This is now one of my favorite meatloaf recipes, and can’t wait to make again!”

-Caitlyn E.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing Easy Meatloaf

Place leftover meatloaf in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for five to seven days. When ready to reheat, place in the microwave, oven, or air fryer to warm up. Add extra ketchup if it seems a little dry on top.

What to Serve with Meatloaf

This meatloaf goes great with just a baked potato and a simple green salad, or with any of these delicious side dishes:

This recipe was inspired by our Mom’s best meatloaf recipe, the delicious meatloaf served at Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon, and Todd Wilbur’s Top Secret Recipes.