Meatloaf recipe (extra delicious!)

This is a Meatloaf recipe for people who love their Meatloaf oozing with flavour, moist and tender yet not crumble apart when sliced, and a sticky caramelised meatloaf glaze . It’s so much more than just a giant hunk of ground beef in a loaf shape! 

Try this once, and you’ll treasure this recipe forever!

Meatloaf recipe

A loaf made entirely of meat. What’s not to love? (Vegetarians are excused 😉)

It’s economical. It’s quick to prepare. It’s a classic family favourite. And leftovers make terrific sandwiches.

If you think that Meatloaf is really just a giant beef burger shaped like a loaf, it’s time to abandon that misconception! Meatloaf shouldn’t taste like a hamburger! Meatloaf has more flavour because whereas you wouldn’t eat a hamburger without toppings, sauces, cheese and a bun, you can certainly eat Meatloaf plain because it’s so juicy and tasty!

The secret to making a meatloaf taste really good is to use fatty beef, plenty of flavourings and to grate your onion instead of dicing it.

A tastier, juicier meatloaf recipe

The secret to making a meatloaf taste really good is the beef (use at least 15% fat beef), plenty of flavourings and to grate your onion instead of dicing it.

• Flavourings – In this meatloaf recipe, not only do we use the usual suspects like thyme, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, we give this a serious flavour boost by using beef bouillon cubes (granulated beef) instead of salt. Granulated beef bouillon has way more flavour than just plain salt!
• Grating onion – this is an efficient and effective method I’ve been using for years and its grown quite a cult following since I started this website (see feedback on these Italian Meatballs!). The breadcrumbs soak up the onion juices and puff up during baking, making our meatloaf nice and tender. This also adds savoury onion flavour without the need of dicing them then frying them separately.

Meatloaf glaze

I also like to coat my meatloaf with a glaze which adds an extra something-something to the meatloaf both in looks and flavour.

Plus, it not only hides any cracks on the surface of the meatloaf –  just think of that glaze dripping down into those cracks!

How to make meatloaf

And here’s process photos for how to make meatloaf. Also see the quick video below – you’ll see how tender the juicy this meatloaf is!

Tips and FAQ for the BEST Meatloaf!

Why does my meatloaf fall apart? Because the mixture wasn’t mixed together well enough, or the loaf wasn’t pressed together firmly. Using a loaf pan helps here! Also, some cracks is GOOD – extra flavour from the meatloaf glaze drips into the meatloaf.

Do you have to use a loaf pan? For the juiciest meatloaf, yes I strongly recommend using a loaf pan. It cooks more evenly, stays juicier because its cooking in its own juices and holds its shape.

If you freeform it (ie bake without a loaf pan), the ends/sides will overcook before the middle is cooked. And if it holds its form like a block loaf without using a loaf pan, your mixture is way too try!

Should I cover the meatloaf when baking? No, you want the meatloaf to brown and the glaze to caramelise! But if it browns too quickly, just pop foil over it.

How long does it take to cook a 1kg / 2lb meatloaf? 1 hr 15 minutes at 180°C / 350°F.

What to serve with meatloaf

I can’t think of a better way to serve Meatloaf than on a pile of creamy mashed potato, though for a lower carb version, cauliflower mash would be fantastic too.

Dollop of ketchup, steamed greens and you have yourself an epic plate of home cooked comfort-food bliss. Enjoy! – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

Sometimes it helps to have a visual, so watch me make this Meatloaf recipe! I was a bit heavy handed with the extra ketchup at the end – oops! 😂

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Meatloaf recipe

Author: Nagi

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 1 hr 15 mins

Total: 1 hr 30 mins

Main

Western

4.97 from 137 votes

Servings8

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Recipe video above. Meatloaf is so much more than a giant hunk of ground beef in a loaf shape. It should ooze with flavour, be moist and tender yet not crumble apart when sliced. And the caramelised glaze is the crowning glory!

Ingredients

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (Note 1)
• 1 large onion , grated (brown, yellow)
• 1 kg / 2 lb ground beef (mince) , preferably not lean
• 2 eggs
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 cup tomato ketchup
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional), or 2 tsp dried parsley or basil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 beef bouillon cubes , crumbled or 2 tsp beef powder (Note 2)
• 1 tsp black pepper

Meatloaf Glaze:

• 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
• 2 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar , lightly packed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Oil or spray a loaf tin. (Note 3)
• Glaze: Mix together in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Meatloaf: Place breadcrumbs in a very large bowl. Grate over onion. Mix so the breadcrumbs are all wet. (Note 4)
• Add remaining ingredients. Mix well using your hands. Form into a loaf shape, pinching together then smoothing over creases and cracks (helps prevent cracks during baking).
• Transfer into loaf tin. Brush generously with glaze, using about 1/2.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with most of the remaining glaze. If there is excess fat pooling, scoop/pour it off.
• Bake for a further 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
• Stand for 10 minutes before turning out and cutting into thick slices. You will probably get a bit of crumbling just on the edges of the first couple of slices, this is normal and indicative of the tenderness of the meatloaf (zero crumble indicates firm packed harder meatloaf which isn't as enjoyable!).
• Ideal served with a dollop of ketchup, creamy mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.

Recipe Notes:

1. Panko breadcrumbs are larger than normal breadcrumbs so they make the meatloaf softer. Nowadays they are found in most supermarkets here in Australia, usually in both the Asian section and alongside normal breadcrumbs.

2. Bouillon cubes adds so much better flavour to the meatloaf compared to just plain salt. Best subs: chicken or veg bouillon or stock powder. Salt sub: 1.5 tsp salt.

3. Pan size: My loaf pan is 23 x 13 x 6 cm / 9 x 5 x 2.5". As long as you have one about this size, this recipe will work fine though it might be flatter or taller.

4. Grated onion - a highly effective and efficient technique to make meatloaf more tender (soaked breadcrumbs puff up when baked) and adds savoury onion flavour without the need to separately fry diced onion. 

5. Nutrition per serving, assuming 8 servings.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 179gCalories: 404kcal (20%)Carbohydrates: 15g (5%)Protein: 24g (48%)Fat: 26g (40%)Saturated Fat: 10g (63%)Cholesterol: 129mg (43%)Sodium: 607mg (26%)Potassium: 468mg (13%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 175IU (4%)Vitamin C: 2.3mg (3%)Calcium: 52mg (5%)Iron: 3.3mg (18%)

Keywords: Meatloaf, Meatloaf Recipe

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Meatloaf recipe originally published March 2018. Updated August 2019 for some housekeeping things and a brand new video. No change to the recipe – I wouldn’t dare, readers love it as it is!

More meatloaf recipes!

• Italian Meatloaf with Marinara Sauce
• Chicken Meatloaf Wellington with Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Meatloaf Cupcakes With Mashed Potato

And more timeless, family favourites

• Beef Stroganoff
• Roast Chicken in Garlic Herb Butter
• Spaghetti Bolognese and Lasagna
• Beef Pot Roast and Beef Stew

Life of Dozer

So exhausted after a big play session at the beach, he didn’t even stir when I pulled out a giant hunk of beef today! 🥩