What is meatloaf made of?

Classic Meatloaf usually contains ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs or oats, milk, onion, and seasonings. Additionally, many recipes include a ketchup-based glaze for sweetness and tanginess.

What do Americans eat with meatloaf?

Americans commonly serve meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, or roasted vegetables. In fact, mashed potatoes and gravy remain a popular comfort food pairing.

Is meatloaf an American dish?

Meatloaf has roots in several European cooking traditions. However, Americans developed their own familiar version using ground beef, simple binders, and flavorful toppings. Today, it remains a staple of American home cooking.

What does meatloaf taste like?

Classic Meatloaf tastes rich, beefy, and savory, with gentle notes of garlic, onion, and herbs. Meanwhile, the ketchup glaze adds a sweet and tangy contrast that makes every bite satisfying.

Classic Meatloaf Recipe (Juicy, Tender, and Easy to Make)

Description

This Classic Meatloaf recipe delivers juicy, tender slices packed with rich beefy flavor, garlic, onion, and herbs. A sweet and tangy homemade ketchup glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. Made with simple ingredients, this easy American comfort food recipe serves 8 and makes a delicious family dinner.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:”,
“2 pounds ground beef (preferably 85% lean)”,
“1 small onion, finely diced (approximately 1 cup)”,
“4 garlic cloves, minced”,
“2 large eggs”,
“2 tablespoons ketchup”,
“1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce”,
“⅔ cup quick-cooking oats”,
“⅓ cup milk (dairy or dairy-free)”,
“2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped”,
“1 teaspoon Italian seasoning”,
“1 teaspoon kosher salt”,
“½ teaspoon ground black pepper”,
“For the Sweet and Tangy Glaze:”,
“½ cup ketchup”,
“1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce”,
“1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet, casserole dish, or standard 9 × 5-inch loaf pan.”,
“In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, quick-cooking oats, milk, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix with your hands until the ingredients come together. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender.”,
“Transfer the meat mixture to your prepared baking dish or baking sheet. Shape it into a loaf approximately 9 × 5 inches. Alternatively, place the mixture in a standard loaf pan.”,
“In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar. Spread the glaze evenly over the top and exposed sides of the meatloaf.”,
“Bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the loaf. The meatloaf is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).”,
“Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice into 8 portions and serve warm with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or your favorite comforting side dishes.

Notes

Ground Beef: Use 85% lean ground beef for a good balance of moisture, tenderness, and rich flavor. Leaner beef may produce a drier loaf.

Avoid Overmixing: Gently combine the ingredients until they come together. Excessive mixing creates a dense, tough texture.

Oats: Quick-cooking oats help absorb moisture and hold the meatloaf together. Traditional rolled oats also work but create a more noticeable texture. Avoid steel-cut oats.

Breadcrumb Substitution: Replace the quick-cooking oats with approximately ⅔ cup breadcrumbs if desired.

Gluten-Free Option: Choose certified gluten-free oats and check the labels on the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and other packaged ingredients.

Dairy-Free Option: Replace regular milk with unsweetened dairy-free milk.

Sugar Substitution: Use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar in the glaze.

Meat Variations: Replace some of the ground beef with ground pork. A 50/50 beef and pork mixture works well. Ground turkey also works but creates a milder flavor.

Smaller Batch: For a meatloaf with 1 pound of ground beef, reduce every ingredient by half and begin checking the internal temperature earlier.

Pan Selection: A rimmed baking sheet or casserole dish exposes more of the meatloaf to the glaze. A standard 9 × 5-inch loaf pan also works.

Cooking Temperature: Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the center reaches 160°F (71°C). Always check doneness with a meat thermometer.

Resting Time: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps retain moisture and prevents crumbling.

Refrigeration: Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: Cool the cooked meatloaf completely. Slice it into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Place meatloaf slices in a baking dish with a splash of water or broth. Cover with foil and warm at 300°F until the center reaches 165°F.

Make Ahead: Assemble the uncooked meatloaf the evening before. Cover securely and refrigerate overnight. Add the glaze and bake the following day.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, broccolini, mashed sweet potatoes, mashed cauliflower, sautéed spinach, coleslaw, or creamed corn.

Leftover Ideas: Make meatloaf sandwiches, lettuce wraps, vegetable stir-fries, or a quick homemade Bolognese-style sauce.

Nutrition: Each serving contains approximately 367 calories, 14 g carbohydrates, 22 g protein, 24 g total fat, 9 g saturated fat, 1 g polyunsaturated fat, 11 g monounsaturated fat, 1 g trans fat, 121 mg cholesterol, 626 mg sodium, 469 mg potassium, 1 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 249 IU vitamin A, 4 mg vitamin C, 62 mg calcium, and 3 mg iron.