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Old Fashioned Meatloaf

A classic comfort food recipe with simple ingredients transformed into a nostalgic meatloaf with perfect texture and a beautiful glazed exterior.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Servings: 8
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Glaze
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk, letting them soak for about 5 minutes until you hear a gentle squelching sound when stirred. Add the beaten eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
  2. Add the ground beef to your mixture and gently combine everything using your hands, working just until ingredients are evenly distributed. Don't overmix to avoid a tough, dense loaf.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Shape your mixture into an oval loaf about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide if using a baking sheet, or press into your loaf pan.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard until smooth. Brush half of this glaze over the top and sides of your meatloaf, reserving the rest for later.
  5. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Remove and brush with the remaining glaze, then continue baking for 15 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the top is beautifully bronzed.
  6. Let your meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice stays perfectly intact and moist.

Notes

Mix meatloaf mixture the night before for better flavor melding. Always rest 10 minutes before slicing to prevent falling apart. Use meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160°F. Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze individual slices up to 3 months. Reheat in 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes.