Classic Meatloaf Recipe...just like Mom used to make. |The Best Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

October 8, 2015 669 Comments

Few foods are more comforting than good ol’ meatloaf. My mom made this Classic Meatloaf Recipe all the time when I was growing up. It’s pretty much perfect, and it’s incredibly easy to mix up. If you want to take this Classic Meatloaf up a notch, try this Stuffed Meatloaf.

More Comfort Food Recipes

• Workman’s Roast (Crock Pot Recipe)
• The Best Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
• Sausage and Sweet Potato Tortellini Soup
• Mom’s Sunday Pot Roast
• Chicken and Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
• Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner

Truth be told, I’m always a little shocked by how excited my kids get when I make meatloaf. I mean, it’s meatloaf. Isn’t there a rule somewhere that kids aren’t supposed to like it? I always thought I was just one of those weird kids who actually liked it.

Apparently, I was wrong, because it’s definitely a hot commodity at our house. There’s never even a tiny piece left in the pan, and there may or may not always be a fight over the last piece.

If you love easy comfort foods, you will also love my Easy Baked Pork Roast.

how to make classic meatloaf recipe

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine ground beef, oatmeal, milk, egg, onion, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
• Using your hand, incorporate everything into the meat. This only takes 30 seconds or so. You do not want to over-mix.
• Transfer meat into a large loaf pan and press it down evenly into the pan.
• For the glaze, mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a small bowl. Pour evenly over meatloaf.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and drain off excess grease.
• Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

I love that the recipe calls for oatmeal, a little added fiber. If you don’t have any or are a little freaked out by adding oatmeal, you can use crushed soda crackers or bread ripped into tiny pieces.

The sweet ketchup-based glaze that goes on the top is optional. We love to serve meatloaf with baked potatoes and broccoli or green beans. We love butter and Homemade Ranch Dressing as a topping on our baked potatoes.

Yum! Just thinking about this meal has me drooling. It’s such a great no-fuss dinner that comforts you to the core. And,seriously, you also need to try this Easy Baked Pork Roast. It’s fabulous!

Meatloaf pans are the bomb! They drain the fat themselves so you don’t have to. I’m hoping Santa brings me one.:)
Meat Loaf Pans on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions about making Classic Meatloaf

what substitutes can I use for the oatmeal?

Using the same measurement as the oatmeal, you can use breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs.

for the glaze, what can i use in place of the ketchup?

If you don’t have ketchup, you can try adding tomato sauce to the brown sugar and mustard, or you can spread salsa on top.

can i use a different size pan?

If you don’t have a loaf pan, form the meatloaf in the shape of a loaf and place it in the center of an 11×17 pan. If you want to soak up the grease, put a couple of pieces of bread under the meatloaf before cooking.

what is the best way to drain off the grease?

You can buy a meatloaf pan that helps drain the grease. If you don’t have one, carefully drain the grease by pouring it out of one corner of the pan. Be careful! Also, you can put bread slices under the meatloaf, which will help soak up the grease.

COOK’S tools:

• Meatloaf Pan
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Chef’s Knife
• Cutting Board

DOn’t Forget to Pin this great recipe to your favorite PINTEREST board!