Meet your new favorite comfort food: Timeless Meatloaf Delight. This classic dish is a hearty, flavorful masterpiece, perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in. It's that old-fashioned goodness you crave, made easy and approachable.
Ground beef: The cornerstone of our meatloaf — juicy and packed with protein. Opt for a leaner mix to keep it moist without being greasy.
Breadcrumbs: These act as a binder, helping the meatloaf hold its shape and adding a subtle texture.
Milk: Keeps the meatloaf tender and moist, ensuring every bite is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Diced onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and a slight crunch, balancing out the flavors.
Ketchup: Both in the mix and as part of the glaze, it introduces a sweet tanginess that complements the savory beef.
Eggs: Essential for binding all the ingredients together.
Worcestershire sauce: This umami-packed liquid gives depth and a bit of complexity to the flavor profile.
Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder: These seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the beef without overpowering it.
Chopped parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that lightens up the dish.
Brown sugar and mustard: In the glaze, these ingredients create a sweet and tangy finish that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
This meatloaf pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. For a lighter side, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the rich flavors nicely.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it's ready to go once your meatloaf is assembled. Next, grab a large mixing bowl and combine your ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, diced onion, ketchup, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chopped parsley. Mix everything together until it's all well blended, but be careful not to overmix, as it can make the meatloaf dense.
Once your mixture is ready, transfer it to a loaf pan. Shape it into a nice, even loaf — you want it to cook uniformly. Now, let's whip up that delicious glaze. In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread this evenly over the top of your meatloaf.
Place the loaf pan in your preheated oven and let it bake for about an hour. You're looking for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it's cooked through. Once it's done, let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, making each slice perfectly moist.