Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

This Old Fashioned Meatloaf recipe is quick, easy, and delicious, making it the ultimate Sunday night dinner. It stays super moist, has a delicious tangy glaze, and makes great sandwiches for lunch throughout the week.

If you’re looking for even more classic ground beef recipes, you can also try our Beef Chili, Pasta E Fagioli Soup, Ground Beef Pasta Bake, or these Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes.

The Best Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe

If you’re looking for a recipe for traditional meatloaf, like the kind you grew up eating, we’ve got you covered. This recipe couldn’t be simpler to put together and uses very few ingredients. It’s topped with a tangy glaze, made from tomato sauce and barbeque sauce, that is finger-licking good.

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make it perfect every time—never dry and always delicious. And don’t forget to save some for later so that you can enjoy meatloaf sandwiches throughout the week!

Key Ingredients

• Ground beef – I like to use 15/85 % fat, but you can also use 10/90 % fat if you prefer ground beef with less saturated fat.  Just add an extra egg yolk so your meatloaf isn’t dry.
• Italian bread crumbs – the bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs) soak up the juices and keep the meatloaf from being too moist. Any brand from the grocery store will do.  You can also substitute an equal amount of Panko bread or even cracker crumbs.
• Eggs – any brand of large whole eggs will do. This is what helps hold the meatloaf together.
• Bell Peppers – I like to use a combination of yellow and red peppers, but green peppers or orange peppers would also work.
• Onions – yellow or white onions have a nice sweet flavor once cooked so that is my preference for meatloaf.
• Tomato sauce – to make the glaze, you can use either tomato sauce or ketchup.
• Barbeque sauce – use your favorite brand. This makes the glaze nice and tangy.

How to Make the Best Meatloaf

1. Combine the hamburger mixture. In a large bowl, add the hamburger, bread crumbs, eggs, cream, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Cook the onions and peppers. Heat a saute pan over medium high heat and add the olive oil, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until soft and translucent.
3. Mix. Add the onions and peppers to the meat mixture. Use a spoon, or your hands, to gently mix the ingredients together until well combined.
4. Assemble. Add the meat mixture to a loaf pan. Pat the meat into loaf shape. In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce and barbeque sauce and spoon the mixture over the meatloaf.
5. Bake. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about 55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
6. Serve. Let the meatloaf rest for 8-10 minutes before serving (this will keep it from falling apart when you cut it). Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions

• To Make-Ahead: assemble the meatloaf (except for the glaze), and then cover with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 48 hours before you’re ready to cook it. Once you are ready, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before spooning the glaze over the top and baking as directed.
• Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: make sure it’s cooled completely, remove from the baking pan, wrap it in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer bag. Use within 2 months of freezing.
• To reheat: either reheat in a microwave or place (covered) in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.

More Beef Recipes

• Easy 30 minute Lasagna Soup Recipe
• Shepards Pie
• Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe
• Easy Taco Soup Recipe
• Baked Penne Pasta with Italian Meatballs
• Crockpot Rump Roast
• More Beef Recipes
• More Main Dishes

This Old-Fashioned Meatloaf is quick, easy, delicious, and the only meatloaf recipe you will ever need.  It makes the ultimate Sunday OR weeknight dinner that your family will love.