This is the BEST Classic Meatloaf Recipe out there! Super moist, easy to make with basic pantry ingredients and everyone always gives it RAVE reviews!
We love to pair this delicious meatloaf with my Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes or Classic Mashed Potatoes for a true comfort dinner.
Nothing says comfort food better than a good old fashioned meatloaf recipe. This meatloaf is not a complicated dish. In fact, my recipe has the most basic, simple ingredients, yet still gets 5 stars all the way!
Meatloaf Recipe
The key to making the best meatloaf is to use a lean ground beef, plenty of binding ingredients (eggs and seasoned breadcrumbs) and keep it moist by using your favorite BBQ sauce.
We’re making this a “Free Form” meatloaf, meaning it’s baked on a baking sheet rather than in a pan. It will allow the meatloaf to cook faster and more efficiently and any excess fat can drain away from the meatloaf.
Ingredients For Meatloaf:
Here’s what you’ll need in order to make this moist and easy meatloaf recipe. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Ground Beef – I like to use a lean ground beef, around 90 to 93% fat free.
- Breadcrumbs – Italian breadcrumbs add extra flavor to the meatloaf
- Eggs – to help bind the meatloaf together when baked
- Onion – finely diced
- BBQ Sauce – my secret ingredient to add tanginess and flavor to the meatloaf!
How To Make Meatloaf
Once all your ingredients are combined, use your clean hands to really get in there and mix it all together. This is one of my favorite parts!
We are doing what is called a “Free Form” meatloaf. You’ll shape your meatloaf on top of a foil lined baking sheet. Try to get it about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide.
Pop the meatloaf into the oven at 350°F and let it cook for about 45 minutes.
PRO TIP: try sautéing your onions in a little oil before adding them to the meatloaf to give it an incredible change of flavor!
How Long Do You Cook Meatloaf Per Pound?
This Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe calls for 2 pounds of ground beef, which is enough to feed around 6 to 8 people.
If you want to reduce the amount of beef to just 1 pound, you’ll want to bake for just 30 minutes, then add +15 minutes per pound after that.
A 3 pound meatloaf would be (30 minutes for the first pound + 15 minutes for the second pound + 15 minutes for the third pound) = one hour of cook time.
PRO TIP: You can easily adjust the amounts of ingredients needed in the recipe card by hovering over the serving amount and sliding it up or down to adjust to your needs.
What Temperature To Cook Meatloaf?
You’re looking for a final internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Notice how I say FINAL? This is because the last 10 to 15 minutes we’re going to bump up the heat to 400 degrees and add our topping. So the first round in the oven it won’t be to temp yet.
I love using my quick read digital thermometer to check the temperature of meats. I recommend every cook to have one!
If you decide to cook your meatloaf in a pan, rather than free form, you’ll want to increase cooking time a bit. Just check with an instant read thermometer for 160 degrees.
The Best Meatloaf Glaze
I love this super easy topping for my meatloaf because it’s just 3 simple ingredients and I always have them on hand. It’s tangy, sweet and coats the meatloaf perfectly.
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Brown Sugar
Mix the ketchup, mustard and brown sugar together in a bowl. After the first round of baking, spread the sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf, then increase the oven temperature and bake again until finished.
The sauce gives the meatloaf a nice kick of flavor on top!
Easy Meatloaf Recipe Tips & Variations
- If you’re not into seeing pieces of onion in your meatloaf, try grating the onion with a cheese grater, or sauté the onion until tender. You can also swap out the diced onion for 1 tsp onion powder.
- Want to sneak in more veggies? Try adding in shredded carrots, zucchini or diced bell peppers!
- Mushrooms are a great addition to meatloaf. Add one cup of chopped mushrooms to the ground beef mixture when shaping the meatloaf.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes! You’ll want to make sure you cook till internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
If your meatloaf is falling apart, chances are you don’t have enough binding ingredients or you didn’t press the loaf together tight enough.
An easy way to make this recipe gluten free is to crush up some Rice Chex or Corn Chex in place of the breadcrumbs!
My secret to moist meatloaf is using the proper amount of binding ingredients combined with a tangy and saucy BBQ sauce! It makes this meatloaf perfect!
Cooking the meatloaf uncovered allows it to cook more quickly. However, if you’re concerned about it getting too browned towards the end, you can lightly cover the meatloaf with foil. Just make sure the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 165 degrees F.
What To Serve With Meatloaf Dinner
Planning to make this delicious Easy Meatloaf Recipe for dinner? Here are some super simple side dishes that’ll make this a complete meal.
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
- Any steamed veggie – green beans, broccoli, carrots, etc.
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
More Easy Meatloaf Recipes
Meatloaf is one of our favorite comfort foods, so it’s no surprise we have plenty of variations on the site. Give these other tasty recipes a try too!
- Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
- Macaroni Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
- Asian Inspired Meatloaf
- Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers in the Slow Cooker
Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp chopped parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- ½ cup bbq sauce
For the Topping:
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick spray, then set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the meatloaf ingredients and mix with clean hands, until fully combined. Press the meatloaf mixture into an 8″ x 4″ loaf on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes, then remove from oven and increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.
- Whisk together the topping ingredients, spread over the meatloaf and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees in center.
- Let meatloaf rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
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I added shredded potatoes, shredded carrot some diced zucchini, chopped cherry tomatoes, smoked paprika, cumin & chili powder. I used half ground turkey & half ground beef. It was excellent. We are expecting a snow storm tonight so this really fits in.
Sounds like some great additions! Stay safe in that storm tonight!
Excellent
I’m so happy you enjoyed the meatloaf recipe Sandra!
Great
We LOVE this recipe! But we made way too much last time. We’re splitting it in half this time to 1 lb of meat. Would we still use the same amount of time?
This recipe is delicious! It is the best meat loaf i have ever tasted but I want to admit that instead of 2 lbs. of ground beef, I used 1 lb. Of ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork. If you like meat loaf, try this easy recipe but be sure to use fresh parsley as the recipe suggests.
This was the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten. My husband could not stop talking about how much he loved it.
Probably the best I’ve had. Never thought of bbq sauce. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Well I really have never cared for meatloaf but this was excellent! My hubby who loves meatloaf said it was the best I ever made!! So now it will be in my rotation! I served it with oven roasted veggies and green beans! Hubby is looking forward to the leftovers tonight ! Lol
Made this tonight for parents & myself; it got Dad’s approval! It was delicious! Will be saving this recipe & making again!
I have an apartment full of men and for them to all enjoy it the way they did, I say this has been so far the best meatloaf recipe ever, and I am 52 years old!
That’s so great to hear Monica! Thank you for sharing!
This was the very best meatloaf I have ever made! I was hoping for leftovers for later but it was all gone!! I did saute the onions (and bell pepper) in butter and added when cooled. Wonderful recipe!
Made this today it was quick easy and good. Will add to my rotation
Easy to make, this a great tasting version of a true comfort food. There is enough left after dinner for me to have 3 or 4 sandwiches for my lunches during the week. Such a great sandwich!
This is the BEST meatloaf recipe by far! I have made this several times and shared the recipe with friends and they love it, absolutely love it! I am just re-reading some of the “pro tips” and next time I’m going to saute the onions before adding them, just to see how it changes the flavor (and I prefer cooked onions versus raw). THANK YOU!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jackie! Thank you for your comment!
Easy to make and my family loved it.
Made this today to take to elderly couple who were recently in hospital. I was gonna do a salad and sautéed chicken but last minute found this recipe and knew my husband would enjoy it too. I rarely bake meatloaf as I’m not a fan. This was 1. Easy to put together. 2. Simple ingredients I had mostly on hand. 3. BBQ sauce in the mix as well as the diced onions (I sautéed) added a lot of flavor. Hubs had it with salad & ciabatta roll, and he said it was great. But the real surprise was that I liked it!
I have tried many recipes and so far this one is the best. I followed the recipe to a “T” except I used 1 1/2 pounds of meat…my husband couldn’t stop eating it and he’s picky…if there was 10 stars this would be 10 stars.
Best Meatloaf Recipe I’ve Tried So Far. A Permanent Family Favorite. Thank You
Perfect dinner. Quick and easy after a busy day.
The only feedback I have is that I think it needs more than a half cup of barbecue sauce. It was a little dry.
Excellent
This is the way. I’ve played with the ingredients as suggested and it’s always great. Sautéed onions are better. Be careful adding veg in, it can really change the “meatloafness”.
This was a delicious meatloaf! The only difference I did was the store had a meatloaf mixture of beef, pork and veal. Which I’m sure added more flavor. But we loved it! It a keeper.
I have added an Italian sausage split, opened, and added to the beef mix to great effect.
I made this tonight. 10/10 will be making again! I grated the onions and my one picky eater didn’t notice. Very tasty!!
This is my go to meatloaf recipe, I love it! It is easy to make with ingredients I usually have on hand. The BBQ sauce is the key, I usually use a honey variety.
Love it. I did add to it though. Don’t freak out at this. It was taught to me by an old Polish Jewish man and I love adding this to meatloaf. I add 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish and leave out the brown sugar!
We love it!!
I did not like the taste of the meatloaf or the consistency. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve never used panco. It was not desirable to my palette
I have added an Italian sausage split, opened, and added to the beef mix to great effect.
The best meatloaf recipe by far❣️
What is the serving size amount? How many grams or oz
Looks for someone who is a diabetic can we leave the brown sugar out
This has GOT TO BE the best meatloaf I’ve ever made. I’ve made a lot of different meatloafs and none of them hit the spot like this one.
Better yet it’s going to make some awesome meatloaf sandwiches tomorrow.
I’m using this recipe for now on.
Very good. I put 6 slices of smoked Gouda in the inside. I also made extra sauce. .
Cut the recipe in half and used brown sugar bbq sauce but didn’t add the brown sugar to the ketchup/mustard topping and it turned out yummy. I really liked the ease of the ingredients and the overall texture and flavor. I personally will double the recipe for the sauce as I loved the flavor and love to dip. This will be my future go to recipe, thank you for sharing.
If I’m making 2 meatloaves at the same time do I increase cooking time?
Trying this for our supper tonight, my husband is a huge meatloaf fan, me not so much until the 2nd day when I can have a cold meatloaf sandwich Shrunk the recipe to1-lb of ground beef as it is just for two of us. It sure smells terrific baking. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I make meatloaf for my son-in-law when visiting. This was the best one yet.
Made this for supper. Next time will not use Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ sauce, it was a bit sweet with brown sugar in the topping as well. Overall, it did taste good.
this is now my favorite “go to” recipe for meatloaf!
Very tasty and moist. Quick and easy. What more could a busy cook want? Loved the little extra kick the bbq added
Best Meatloaf Recipe‼️
This is delish! I cut the recipe in half!
This was great meatloaf!
I added some beefy lipton dry soup mix. However I did not put the brown sugar in. I had zero leftovers my kids said they want this more often.
Seeing your uncooked free-form meatloaf instantly took me back to my childhood. Mother shaped her meatloaf the same way – with bits of onion sticking out all over. She baked hers in a white enamel pan – I don’t think she used that pan for anything else.
The addition of barbecue sauce sounds like a good idea – will be trying that next time I make meatloaf.
Thanks,
Sheila
This Meatloaf was absolutely amazing! I definitely recommend trying this recipe. It is so simple and easy to make. I sautéd the onions and I used original bbq sauce. I wouldn’t change anything. I also used only the amount of seasoning listed. I will definitely be making this often.
When you increase the serving size should you increase the baking time? Looking to make the serving size 13
1/2 way through baking and realized I forgot the bloody eggs! Husband will not be happy. He’s not a fan of meatloaf to begin with. Argh!