The best easy comfort food recipe you can make using ground beef and a tasty sticky sauce on top is Granny's Classic Meatloaf. This is the ultimate easy-to-make dinner that your entire family will enjoy.
Why this recipe works:
If you're wondering what to cook for dinner tonight, you can't go wrong with a Classic Meatloaf. There are a ton of different recipes out there, but this one is different. There are several reasons this recipe has been viewed over 1 Million times!
This recipe incorporates chopped sauteed onions into the meatloaf which adds amazing texture and flavor. It takes a bit of time and effort but you'll find that it is totally worth it.
This recipe uses milk. It may seem odd, but the milk adds a richness and really helps it keep it's shape.
Most importantly, the simple sauce on top adds a tremendous amount of flavor and gets wonderfully sticky as it cooks.
How to make this recipe:
This classic recipe consists of two parts: the meatloaf and the sauce on top.
To make the meatloaf:
- Start by sauteing some onion and garlic in butter (photo 1 below). Adding raw onion to the meatloaf would be too intense. Cooking them first and allowing them to cool before combining with the remaining ingredients allows you to get the best onion and garlic flavors without them being to harsh or intense.
- Next, the recipe is super easy to make because you simply add the ground beef to a large bowl (photo 2) and add all of the remaining ingredients including an egg, panko bread crumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and salt (photo 3) along with the cooled sauteed onion and garlic.
- Once mixed, the meatloaf gets shaped it into a mound on a baking sheet (photo 4). I always use parchment paper for easy clean up. This is how my family has been making meatloaf since I was a kid.
To make the sauce:
- While the meatloaf is cooking, mix up the super simple sauce (photo 5). This easy combination of ketchup, brown sugar, and spicy brown mustard is just what the meatloaf needs.
- Half way though the cooking time, the meatloaf gets covered in the sauce which gets extra sticky and delicious while it cooks.
How long to cook it:
There are two considerations when cooking a meatloaf recipe like this one: cook time and temperature. You see, depending on the size and shape of the meatloaf you make, the time will vary.
If you make it in a loaf pan, your cooking time could be longer because the meatloaf is taller and more compact.
If you bake it on a baking sheet like I did, it will generally be more flat, thus increasing it's surface area and cooking faster.
A general cooking time range would be anywhere from an hour to an hour and twenty minutes.
The only sure way to know when your homemade meatloaf is done cooking is to verify the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.
Cooking tips for perfect results:
- Don't over work the meatloaf while mixing. Mix it just until everything is combined.
- If you really like the ketchup topping, double that part of the recipe!
- If you prefer the crunchy outer layer, consider making your meatloaf flat so that you have more surface area to get crispy. This will also reduce your cooking time.
- Always use a trusted meat thermometer to verify that the meatloaf is done.
Related recipes:
You can't enjoy the perfect homemade meatloaf without some tasty side dishes to go alongside it. Here are some of my favorites.
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Gorgonzola Celery Root Mashed Potatoes
- Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Perfect Garlic Sauteed Asparagus
Recipe video below!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!
Granny's Classic Meatloaf
RECIPE VIDEO WILL AUTOPLAY
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 medium sized onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Topping (see note):
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven or grill to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Melt butter in saute pan over medium heat. Cook onions until fragrant and slightly brown while stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add garlic, cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt and cooked onions and garlic. Use hands to mix well, but try not to over work the meat. Shape into loaf on parchment lined baking sheet. Use sharp knife to cut a criss cross pattern on top.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 40 minutes. While meatloaf is cooking, combine ketchup with mustard and brown sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
- After 40 minutes of cooking, spread ketchup mixture over the top of the meatloaf and continue baking for about 30-35 minutes to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
Notes
Cooking tips for perfect results:
- Don't over work the meatloaf while mixing. Mix it just until everything is combined.
- If you really like the ketchup topping, double that part of the recipe!
- If you prefer the crunchy outer layer, consider making your meatloaf flat so that you have more surface area to get crispy. This will also reduce your cooking time.
- Always use a trusted meat thermometer to verify that the meatloaf is done.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
This recipe was originally created in October 2018 and has been updated with helpful information and cooking tips. Don't worry - I didn't change the recipe!
Gwen
My husband and I liked the recipe but he told me not to put thyme in it next time...not a flavor either of us like...
Cara
I'm about to make this for supper and I've never made meatloaf! I saw people were adding an extra egg. Can you tell me the reason for this? I don't have a meat thermometer but cutting it to check would work right? Thanks!
Krissy
An extra egg would just help hold it together.
Stephanie
Delicious! Will definitely make again.
Gordo
I make it pretty much the same, except, I wrap it in bacon...
Steven
I made Granny’s meatloaf. It was wonderful. Best meatloaf I have ever had.
Mel
I think I've found my favorite meatloaf!! My whole family loves it!
Pam lambert
My new favorite meatloaf recipe. I made a couple of changes. Left out the thyme, add Italian flavor Pandora! Delicious!
Heidi
Hi. What type of bread crumbs? Plain or Japanese? Thank you
Dana
I used Italian style Panko and leave out the thyme
Linda
This is a great recipe! Made it last night. I cut the recipe in half because its just me. It took 1/2 the time to cook, glad I checked when I did. I was out of panko, substituted dry breadcrumbs instead. I used Italian seasoning instead of just thyme. Loved the topping too.
Pamie
Instead of the 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt I used 2 teaspoons of Montreal Steak Seasoning, (I also went with the suggestion of using two eggs) and it came out great! This one's a keeper!
Stephanie
Best meatloaf recipe EVER and I’m not even a fan of meatloaf. I make this about once a week now and there are never
any leftovers. Even my 3 picky teens love it. Thank you for the recipe!
Susan
Best meatloaf I’ve ever made, and I’ve made lots! I think sautéing the onion and garlic, and the sauce make a huge difference!
Danielle
Can I use plain bread crumbs instead of the panko?
Krissy
yep!
Saadia
Very delicious recipe! It was my 1st time to make meatloaf and I used this recipe as my guideline, but I tweaked it to suit myself and my family:
1. I seasoned my breadcrumbs since we don't have panko breadcrumbs in my country. I also added some oats to the breadcrumbs so it would hold better.
2. Added 2 eggs to the mince
3. Added a dash of soya sauce along with the Worcestershire sauce..increased Worcestershire sauce also bc I wanted the meat to be darker in colour and more flavourful.
4. Instead of milk I used zero fat cottage cheese.
5. I seasoned my meat with more than just thyme. I added a herb seasoning, mince seasoning, pepper and some other tasty seasoning bc my family love a bit of spice
6. I didn't use tomato sauce since I don't have that in my house 🙈. I used a mixture of chilli-garlic sauce, bbq sauce, mustard sauce, and I didn't add any sugar. I tasted it to make sure I was happy with the taste.
Honestly it turned out delicious 😋 I served it with mashed potatoes and a salad.
Delectable 😋🤤
Priscila Garcia
Thanks.
Your recipe is most simple and straightforward.
Jessica
Looking at the nutrition calculations. What’s the serving size?
Krissy
There are 8 servings total.
Jamie R.
I will never make meatloaf any other way again! Amazing!!!
Samantha
Just made this tonight...my first meatloaf and i would have to say it was very moist and taste wonderful
Hannah
I loved this meatloaf recipe! Family favorite now.
Mary
Can this be frozen raw to bake later
Krissy
Yep. Just be sure to fully thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
Leigh
Best ever recipe for meatloaf and believe, I tried so many variations. You know it's good when you take a bite of the meat without the awesome ketchup topping and the meat is so flavorful. I added two eggs because I have 2.5 lbs of meat. Thank you for sharing!!
Megan
Can I put it in a glass meatloaf dish? If so, should i change the temp or cooking time?
Krissy
Yep! I find cooking in glass often extends the cooking time so your best bet is to check the internal temperature before removing from the oven.
Jen
After several weeks of CRAVING meatloaf, I decided to give this recipe a whirl. Who doesn't love anything dubbed as "Grandma's"? I didn't change anything other than the parsley for oregano, because it's what was on hand. I doubled down on the tomato sauce mix, as recommended, and was delighted with the overall outcome. I served it with fingerling potatoes I boiled until fork tender, then smashed them lightly and brushed them with melted butter and Trader Joe's 21 Salute Seasoning. I roasted them with the meatloaf during the last 30 minutes, then sprinkled them with finely grated parmesan and let it melt while the meatloaf rested. I completely enjoyed dinner tonight! Thanks for sharing!
Paula
This recipe is absolutely AMAZING! I needed an idea for dinner on whim and knew that I wanted some good meatloaf! This is why I love Pinterest! Thank you!
Destini
Can I soak bread in milk instead of breadcrumbs? And if so how much?
Krissy
Sure can! You can also crumble up crackers instead of using bread crumbs. As far as how much sliced bread, I would only use a slice or two depending on size. You don't want the meatloaf to taste more like bread than meat.
Kathy
My husband and I both loved this recipe. This meatloaf was flavorful, moist and tender and baking it on the cookie sheet with parchment paper let the extra oils escape making this a less greasy meatloaf. Genius! My husband who usually takes me out for lunch on Sundays wanted to come home for more of this meatloaf (and a side of baked & mashed butternut squash) instead! I doubled the sauce as others suggested.
Carolann
Deliciously good old-fashioned meatloaf.
LEONARD BANKS
NEVER MADE THIS BEFORE IT WAS SO EASY AND TASTED FANTASTIC
Sandra
I made this for supper and everyone loved it. I will defiantly be making it again.