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A hot, freshly baked easy meatloaf ready for busy nights.

Juicy & Tender Weeknight Meatloaf

This meatloaf recipe delivers a juicy, tender, and flavorful weeknight meal perfect for any family dinner. It features a delicious glaze that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf:
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1 small Onion finely diced
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs plain or panko
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper or to taste
For the Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dry Mustard optional

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper (optional)
  • Small Skillet
  • Large Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

Preheat & Prep
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
Soften Aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil in a small skillet, then cook diced onion until softened for 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant, then let it cool.
Combine Wet Binders
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, and Dijon mustard.
Add Dry Binders
  1. Stir in breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper into the wet mixture and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Mix Meat and Veggies
  1. Add the cooled onion, garlic, and ground beef to the bowl, then gently mix everything by hand until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
Form the Loaf
  1. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a 9x5 inch loaf, about 2 inches high.
Initial Bake
  1. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes to start.
Prepare Glaze
  1. While the meatloaf bakes, whisk together all glaze ingredients (1/2 cup ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard if using) in a small bowl.
Glaze & Finish Baking
  1. After 30 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven, spread the glaze over it, and return to bake for another 25-35 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Rest & Serve
  1. Once baked, remove the meatloaf and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure it remains moist and holds its shape.

Notes

For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf is cooked to the correct internal temperature. Resting the meatloaf is crucial for moisture and shape retention, so don't skip this step!