Description
This melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf recipe combines ground beef with sautéed onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, and flavorful seasonings, resulting in a tender, juicy classic comfort food perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, sautéed onion and garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until everything is evenly incorporated without overworking the meat.
- Shape Loaf: Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape it gently into a loaf form.
- Add Glaze: Optionally, spread extra ketchup on top of the meatloaf to create a sweet glaze that caramelizes during baking.
- Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Adding a glaze of ketchup or barbecue sauce enhances the flavor and moisture.
- Make sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Leftover meatloaf can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
