Go Back
A full comfort food meatloaf dinner with mashed potatoes and green beans on a white plate.

Classic Comfort Food Meatloaf Dinner

This classic comfort food meatloaf recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful meal with a delicious tangy-sweet glaze. Perfect for a family dinner, it's simple to prepare and yields a tender, juicy loaf every time.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf
  • 1 ½ lbs ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs plain or seasoned, Panko works great
  • ½ cup milk
  • large egg lightly beaten
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion yellow or white
  • 2 garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp ketchup for the mix
For the Glaze
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Loaf pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, or lightly grease a loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk, letting it sit for 5 minutes to absorb.
  3. Add beaten egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of ketchup to the breadcrumb mixture and mix well.
  4. Gently mix in the ground beef with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Shape the meat mixture into a 9x5 inch oblong loaf on the baking sheet, or press it into a loaf pan.
  6. Whisk together the ½ cup ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard for the glaze in a small bowl.
  7. Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes.
  8. After 40 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven, spread the glaze over the top, and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Allow the cooked meatloaf to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure tenderness and flavor.

Notes

For best results, avoid overmixing the meatloaf mixture to keep it tender. Letting the meatloaf rest after baking is crucial for a juicy result. Serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite green vegetable for a complete meal.