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.
Side dish recipe recommendations:
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
CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 medium sized yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (can use less or replace with 1Tbsp fresh 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°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and milk. Stir to combine.
- Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook the onions until they are fragrant and slightly brown while stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for 2-3 additional minutes. Remove the pan from heat and set it aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, soaked bread crumbs with the milk, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and the cooked onions and garlic. Use your hands to combine the mixture, but try not to overwork the meat. Shape the mixture into a loaf on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut a crisscross pattern on top.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 40 minutes. While the meatloaf is cooking, combine ketchup with mustard and brown sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
- After 40 minutes of cooking, spread the sauce mixture over the top of the meatloaf and continue baking for about 30-35 minutes to an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C).
Notes
Cooking tips for perfect results:
- Don't overwork the meatloaf while mixing. Mix it just until everything is combined.
- Since it was rec
- If you prefer the crunchy outer layer, consider making the 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!
Rebecca Ogden
Could I use plain stuffing if I don't have the bread crumbs?
Krissy
yes! I would crush it up though.
Gayla
I only had 1 pound of ground beef so I also added 1 pound hot italian sausage. Turned out great!! Love the sauce....be sure to double the sauce.
Cindy
We love this,made it a dozen times. Only tween is I double the glaze/sauce 😊
Sharon
Hi, my family can’t drink milk. Do you know if it’ll work with Almond milk?
Krissy
Yes!
Brooke
If I use 3 lbs of meat do I need to cook longer?
Krissy
If it's thicker, you may need to. Best to check internal temperature with a thermometer to verify it's over 160°F.
Tracy
This meatloaf was amazing. Thank you for sharing this easy to follow recipe. We made loaded mashed potatoes for the side. This was a hit with the family.
Ela kay
Tracy,
Your recipe is the only one I use now. I've made this several times and always a big hit. Thank you. Got it un the oven as we speak. God bless 🙋♀️
Elizabeth Howard
I only like onions when they are cooked until they Disintegrate when it’s impossible to tell that real onions were used so when making your meatloaf recipe can I substitute the onion and garlic with onion and garlic powder what would be the amount of each to use? Or if I Sautéed the fresh onion and fresh garlic in butter for the flavor could I then just pour the flavored butter over the panko and if so how much additional onion and garlic powder should I add to make up for the difference?
Krissy
You can do either! And how much you add is just a total matter of preference. I find that with both onion and garlic powder, you can add quite a bit. Another thought is to pulverize the onion in the food processor so that it's so small, you can't really feel it but it still gives the flavor.
Margaret
Excellent recipe ! Just as I remember when I was a child .
I made 2 loaves and had leftovers.. even better the next day. Definitely recommend making it the night before .
Steph
Would I still use a whole egg if I am only using 1 lb of ground beef?
Krissy
yes, I would
Teri
With a name like “ Granny’s recipe “ how could you go wrong! We love this recipe. I added a half of cup of mozzarella shredded cheese and forth cup of red pepper ( just to try something different)….mmm mmmm good!! Love the crisscross on the top of the loaf ,the ketchup topping works it way down into the nooks and crannies great idea ..Happy cooking😁
Sandy Nichols
Can you use bread crumbs instead of panko
Krissy
Yep!
Linda
I've made this meatloaf several times my family loves it !!!
Monica
The best meatloaf recipe ever! I have made several different kinds, came across this one. My kids said it was the best meatloaf I have ever made. Delicious! And will forever make this one.
Joy Jacobs
Delicious and easy. I took someone’s suggestion and made 1/2 recipe since there’s only 2 of us and I’m working on having less leftovers. Hubby never cared for the tomato topping so I used one package of brown gravy mix prepared, poured it on top and kept spooning it over the top as it thickened. Yum
Joan Fisher
I have always used three strips of raw bacon cut in half on the top which is delicious to.
Joan Fisher
This is Joan. Supposed to be "too". 😁
Renay
Excellent! Next time I'll set aside more time, and closely read the recipe before trying it. Very good!
Amy
Can you use crackers instead of bread crumbs
Krissy
Absolutely!
Betty
One of my all time favorites!! My best friend said it was better than his moms!!
Joe Lillo
I use this recipe every time I make meatloaf. It comes out perfect every time. Thank you.
Trina Mathison
I’ve made this several times whether with family or company. Delish.
Laurell
Love this recipe! We attempted to try a different recipe to just see how it was but it just wasnt as good as this one. Went right back to making your recipe. Its a big hit in our house!