Ah, classic comfort food incoming! 🍖 Let’s do a moist, flavorful, oven-baked meatloaf that’s not dry and sad—because nobody deserves that.
Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients (serves 4–6):
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (or mix beef & pork for juicier texture)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a little kick)
- Topping (glaze): ½ cup ketchup + 1 tbsp brown sugar + 1 tsp mustard
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C).
- Mix meatloaf: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork or it gets dense.
- Shape: Form mixture into a loaf shape and place in a lightly greased loaf pan (or on a lined baking sheet for crispier edges).
- Add glaze: Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread evenly over the top.
- Bake: 55–65 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest: Let meatloaf sit 5–10 minutes before slicing—this locks in juices.
đź’ˇ Tips for next-level meatloaf:
- Mix half ground beef, half ground pork → juicier.
- Sauté onions & garlic first → sweeter, deeper flavor.
- Glaze halfway through baking → caramelized topping without burning.
If you want, I can make a “cheese-stuffed meatloaf bomb” version—basically turning your meatloaf into a molten, cheesy center surprise. That’s my personal favorite.
Do you want me to make that version?
