This is the best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever had, and I know you’ll love it, too! It’s a breeze to make and it comes out moist and juicy! With only 10-minutes of active prep time, this recipe practically cooks itself. Enjoy with my easy creamed corn recipe, or with roasted vegetables!
My History With Meatloaf
Growing up the first time I heard about Meatloaf was in the car with my mom and his song, “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” came on the radio lol! While I totally loved Meatloaf’s song, eating actual edible kind? Yeah, no! I stayed a good arm’s distance away from it my entire childhood and for several years into my adult life, too.
Then one day, as a mother of three littles and a wife who needed to whip up dinner for my husband before he left for work (our fridge was practically empty because we desperately needed to go to the grocery store), for some odd reason I thought… meatloaf. I miraculously had all the ingredients I needed to make it. Though I had avoided it my whole life, I thought it’d be better to have an actual meal for dinner than a plate full of ground beef!
Making Meatloaf The Right Way
I’ll admit that the meatloaf I made that day was not the same as the recipe you’ll find below. While the it was good then, it was a little dry. Had it not been for the glaze, I may have never given meatloaf another try (: But thankfully the glaze won me over, and the following week I was at it again, except I had more time on my hands to play around with the recipe and really get it right.
The recipe below was born after nearly two hours of adding a little more of this, a splash of that, and cutting out some ingredients altogether. I am SO proud of my meatloaf recipe because it’s honestly the best meatloaf I’ve ever had – and I’ve had plenty since that first fateful day – and it’s one of my family’s most favorite things to eat (yes, even my kids!).
Did You Love This Meatloaf Recipe?
If you thought this was a juicy and delicious recipe, let us know in the comment section below! We love hearing from you and how you enjoyed it 🙂
Moist Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs (seasoned/Italian breadcrumbs work, too)
- 1 tsp butter, unsalted
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/95%) or ground turkey
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground thyme
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 1/4 tsp salt, add more if needed
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper chili flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 3/4 cup Ketchup
- 2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar
Instructions
- PREP: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet or 9×13" casserole dish with parchment paper and spritz with cooking oil.– In a medium-sized bowl, add eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs, stirring to combine. Set aside.– In a pan over medium/low heat, cook the onions and garlic in butter, until softened and fragrant. Remove from the pan and let fully cool down.1/2 yellow onion,, 1 tsp butter,, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 3 tbsp garlic,
- MAKE MEATLOAF: Take the medium bowl with the egg mix and add the ground beef, ketchup, seasonings, cooked onions/garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine – do not overmix (it creates a dense loaf).– On the prepped baking sheet/casserole dish, you're going to take the meat mixture and form a loaf that's about 8" long. Insert into the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes.2 lbs ground beef (80/95%) or ground turkey, 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp paprika, 1 1/4 tsp salt,, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp red pepper chili flakes (optional), 1/4 tsp ground thyme
- MAKE GLAZE: While the meatloaf is baking, combine the ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar in a bowl and mix to combine.3/4 cup Ketchup, 2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar
- FINAL STEPS: Pour the ketchup mixture over the top of the meatloaf, letting it drip down the sides and fully cover the top and sides (use a baking brush if helpful). I like it nice and thick personally. Then insert the meatloaf back into the oven to cook for another 10-15 minute, until cooked through.– Let cool down for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving (to prevent it from not keeping its shape when sliced). Serve warm and enjoy!