Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe
This classic Old Fashioned Meatloaf recipe features a flavorful blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and savory seasonings, topped with a tangy ketchup-based sauce. Baked to perfection, it offers a hearty and comforting meal perfect for family dinners.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Meatloaf
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 beef recommended)
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated onion
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely and set the sauce aside for later use.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the correct temperature when the meatloaf is ready to bake.
- Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, crumble the ground beef. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and grated onion over the meat. In a separate bowl, whisk together beef broth, beaten egg, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, ground sage, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the meat and use your hands to thoroughly combine all ingredients until evenly mixed.
- Assemble Meatloaf: Spoon a few tablespoons of the prepared sauce onto the bottom of a bread pan. Transfer the meat mixture into the pan, pressing it down gently to shape it evenly within the pan’s dimensions.
- Add Sauce Topping: Spread the remaining sauce evenly over the top of the shaped meatloaf to add flavor and moisture during baking.
- Bake the Meatloaf: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C). Begin checking for doneness after 45 minutes using a meat thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Once done, remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This helps juices redistribute for a moist slice. Slice the meatloaf and serve warm.
Notes
- Using 80/20 ground beef ensures a juicy meatloaf with enough fat content for flavor.
- Resting the meatloaf before slicing allows the juices to redistribute, preventing dryness.
- Using a meat thermometer is recommended to ensure the meatloaf is safely cooked through.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meatloaf and keep it tender.
- If you prefer a smaller or larger meatloaf, adjust cooking time accordingly, checking internal temperature for doneness.
Keywords: Old Fashioned Meatloaf, classic meatloaf recipe, baked meatloaf, ground beef meatloaf, comfort food dinner