Yasss The Best Meatloaf Recipe Highly Rated w/ Video

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You’ll be hollering “Yasss” after you try this delicious classic, tender, and moist meatloaf.  Pinterest loves this meatloaf recipe!

And these mashed potatoes are a must! Make sure to check out my Ultimate Southern Style Ritz Cracker Meatloaf. It’s also DELICIOUS! I can’t decide which one I like better! 

This recipe is different than most meatloaf recipes. No 1, there isn’t any milk, A super flavorful beef base is used and no need for a meatloaf pan. And everyone loves the glaze with a kick! 

Read more below to find out what I use to make it juicy and tender! I should also mention that there is no need to buy breadcrumbs. Just use regular white bread. 

I struggled to snap a perfect picture of my best meatloaf!  Normally I wouldn’t brag about things, but this meatloaf is seriously good.😋

It’s hard to make meatloaf look good but at the end of the day, the flavor is all that matters. Right?

UPDATE! I posted the above photo almost two years ago. Since then, I’ve been working hard on my photography game and I think I’ve managed to take a better photo of my meatloaf. Check it out below! Yay! 

This is my absolute favorite comfort food…wait…My other fav is my Salisbury steak. I’m afraid to say this, but I could probably eat the WHOLE 2 lbs!  

This tasty meatloaf recipe is so easy to make! My family always fight over the last slice.

Back in the day, you wouldn’t find me fighting over meatloaf because I pretty much hated it.  That same hatred for the loaf motivated me to develop a meatloaf recipe. 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MEATLOAF RECIPE 

The key to good flavorful meatloaf is to use 80% fat ground beef.  Too lean ground beef  just isn’t as flavorful.  80% ground beef has more fat and that equals more flavor.

Instead of soaking the bread in milk, opt for beef  or chicken base. Beef or chicken broth works too but the bases has more flavor. 

It’s way more flavorful than milk. Most liquids will help meatloaf stay moist so I love to use flavorful beef broth as much as possible.

For even more flavor, one reader said she used 3/4 tsp of onion and garlic powder. I tried it recently. It’s delish!

WHAT CAN I SUB FOR MILK IN MEATLOAF

As I mentioned above, you can sub milk for just about any liquid. Chicken, beef or vegetable broth work great. You can also add water if you like, but of course it won’t add additional flavor. 

MEATLOAF SAUCE

Meatloaf sauce is like the icing on the cake. To make the meatloaf sauce, you’ll need ketchup, brown sugar and pepper.  I love to make a peppery brown sugar glaze.

I know it may seem like too much pepper per the recipe, but it so flavorful and delicious. The pepper perks up the sauce! 

People that have made this meatloaf, suggested adding chili sauce or chipotle seasonings to the sauce.

Also, if you don’t want to use a meatloaf sauce try wrapping it up in bacon. I got that suggestion from a reader too.

WHY DOES MY MEATLOAF FALL APART

There are a couple reasons why a meatloaf falls apart. It could be that you didn’t add enough eggs or vegetables.

Yes, vegetable do help in binding the meatloaf together.  Secondly, you may have used a leaner beef. As I said earlier, opt for an 80% fat ground beef.

The higher fat content helps the meat stay moist and moist meatloaf keeps it from falling apart. It’s not impossible to make leaner meatloaf stick together but it’s tricky.

Thirdly, do not add too much liquid. That will definitely make your meatloaf fall apart. Lastly, let your cooked meatloaf rest for about 10-15 minutes before you slice it. Slicing it right away, may make the meat fall apart. 

CAN YOU PREPARE MEATLOAF THE NIGHT BEFORE

Absolutely! We all have busy lives. It’s a HUGE time saver when we can prep meals in advance. 

First, prepare the meatloaf mixture.Keep the meatloaf mixture in the bowl.

Next, cover it tightly with a lid, saran wrap or foil. Not only is this a big time saver, but chilling in the fridge also makes the meatloaf more flavorful.

When you are ready to bake it, make the meatloaf into a loaf.

Place it on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet and bake per the recipe. FYI, chilled meatloaf may take a bit longer to cook through. 

CAN YOU FREEZE MEATLOAF

• Of course! Wrap each raw meatloaf tightly in saran wrap then foil. Put it into a ziploc bag. Label and date it. Properly storing meatloaf in
  the freezer will prevent freezer burn or contamination. Frozen meatloaf wrapped properly will last up to 3 months.
  
  
• When you are ready to bake it, let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator and proceed with the baking instructions
  per the recipe. Yes you can cook the meatloaf frozen, but it will take much longer to cook through.
  
  

HOW TO STORE MEATLOAF 

Refrigerate cooked meatloaf in airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap for 3-4 days.

To freeze cooked meatloaf, wrap room temperature meatloaf tightly in saran wrap then foil. Put it into a ziploc bag.

Label and date it. Next, place in the freezer. Frozen meatloaf wrapped properly will last up to 3 months.

HOW LONG TO COOK MEATLOAF

Most meatloaf recipes take anywhere between 45-60 minutes to cook. This recipe can take up to 60 minutes depending on your stove.

In our old stove, this meatloaf was done in 45 minutes. Our new stove takes longer, about 55-60 minutes to cook through.

HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF STEP BY STEP 

Make the meatloaf 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cover the entire top and sides of a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.  If you only have parchment paper line the baking sheet with it.
  
  
• Add 4 slices of bread to a food processor and process. Add the bread crumbs to a bowl with the eggs, broth, and seasonings. Soak for 5 mins. Saute the vegetables.  Cook until fragrant. Set to the side to cool (photos 1- 4).
  
  
• Ketchup glaze: Mix the ketchup, brown sugar and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. Add the ground beef and soaked bread mixture to a large bowl.  GENTLY combine. Do not over mix(photos 5-7).
  
  
• Place meatloaf on the baking sheet. Shape into a loaf. Spread the meatloaf sauce over the top.  Bake from 45-60 minutes. Brush the remaining meatloaf sauce over the top. Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes.  Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables(photos 8-9).
  
  
  

 

MEATLOAF RECIPE TIPS:

• Meatloaf should be full of flavor, therefore, don’t skimp on seasonings and use a generous amount of sautéed onions.The cooked onions makes this meatloaf super delicious. A lot of meatloaf recipes use milk but I don’t use it.
  

  I only use beef broth. It works. Trust me, the beef broth provides so much flavor. I love to use Better Than Bouillon Beef Base. 
  

• Always use fresh bread, not the breadcrumbs from the store. Why so? Well, fresh bread will make moist meatloaf. Use a food processor
  to make bread slices into breadcrumbs.
  
  
• Avoid tough meatloaf using a light touch. Gently combine the ground beef with the egg, bread, and onion mixture.
  Do not over-mix.
  
  
• For an easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or  heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  
  
• Lastly, place an empty baking sheet on the bottom shelf. Fill with water.  Place the meatloaf on the shelf right above the pan with water.This will help keep the meatloaf nice and moist.That’s all there is to this meatloaf recipe. Simple is best.
  Remember to let the cooked meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes then slice it.

   

BEST MEATLOAF!

Do you see all that great flavor? The sweet tangy peppery red ketchup glaze. Yum! The diced cooked onions are looking good too!
This meatloaf is amazing. I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it.

I won’t be surprised if your family gobbles it up in minutes.  I’m just so excited about the FLAVOR! It’s the best meatloaf I’ve ever tasted. It’s easy to make and so DAMN good!

My sister tried this meatloaf recipe. Her picky husband and daughter both hate meatloaf but LOVED this one!  She said it tasted like the ones at them famous restaurants.

Those are the type of things I love to hear.  I love cooking and I love helping people create delicious easy food. I hope you can try it! Now how about some simple but so good peach cobbler?

If you LOVE soul food/ southern food join our NEW FB group: Soul Food Love/Southern Recipes.

If you make this I’d love to know! Leave a comment below!

Make sure to save this PIN to your Pinterest board for later, read the great reviews and while you are there, follow me!

 

If you like this meatloaf recipe then you may also like these other beef recipes and sides:

 

• Ultimate Ritz Crackers Meatloaf (See Pic of it below)
  

  
  

  
  
• Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
• Stovetop Mac and Cheese 
• Italian Sausage and Peppers
• Salisbury Steak
• Taco Steak Salad
• Beef Tacos
• Jamaican Beef Patties 
• Smothered Chicken