Classic Meatloaf Recipe

Classic Meatloaf is big on flavor and is the perfect comfort food any time of the week. This easy meatloaf recipe will have everyone rubbing their bellies, feeling happy and very satisfied. 

What is Meatloaf? 

Meatloaf is one of those foods that says welcome home. There is nothing like coming home to family, sitting down at the table, and enjoying a good meal with those you love.

Meatloaf is made with ground beef and other seasonings and binders. It is topped with a delicious glaze and baked in the oven. It is typically shaped into a loaf or sometimes baked in a loaf pan. After it has been baked, it can be sliced (like a loaf of bread) and served in individual servings. 

This meatloaf recipe is very simple and takes about 10 minutes to mix together. It is always moist and juicy, and very filling. It’s hard to beat good comfort food.

Classic Meatloaf is definitely one of those meals that can be made during the week. It does take about 1 1/2 hours to bake, so some planning is required. 

Ingredients Needed To Make Meatloaf with Oats

Meatloaf Mixture:

ground beef

Quick Oats, uncooked

 milk

 eggs, beaten

Worcestershire sauce

Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Glaze

 ketchup

brown sugar

mustard

Worcestershire sauce

How to Make Meatloaf from Scratch

Mix: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, oatmeal, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and onion soup mix. Mix well. Tip: I find it easier to just roll up your sleeves and get in there with your hands and mix it all up. 

Shape: In a 13″ x 9″ casserole dish, shape the mixture into a loaf.

Bake: Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Make the Glaze: While the meatloaf bakes, make the glaze. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. 

Glaze: After the meatloaf has baked for 50 minutes, pull it out of the oven and brush liberally with the glaze. Return to the oven.

Bake: Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. After you glaze the top, bake 30 more minutes or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the meatloaf. 

Carefully drain grease from the dish. Allow meatloaf to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

The Best Meatloaf Glaze

This glaze is a mix of sweet and tangy flavors. The sweetness comes from the brown sugar and tanginess from the mustard. Ketchup is mixed with brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and, when baked, forms the most delicious topping. The glaze is added during the last 30 minutes of the cooking time. 

 

The Secret to Moist Meatloaf

The secret to my moist meatloaf is oatmeal. Oatmeal and breadcrumbs have been used in meatloaf recipes for as long as I can remember. They act as a binder and keep the meat moist. I always use oatmeal in my meatloaf recipe. Using oatmeal will yield a moist meatloaf every time. I basically use this same recipe for my meatballs, and they turn out perfect and delicious every time. No one will ever guess you are using oats in your mix.

Recipe Tips:

Use your hands to mix the meat mixture. Just roll your sleeves up and get in there and get it done. 

I use quick oats with this recipe. It blends nicely and acts as a binder to keep the meatloaf together. You will not be able to tell that you have oats in your meatloaf. Promise!

Cook uncovered.

Let meatloaf stand for about 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Meatloaf Variations:

Feel free to add a few of your favorites to this meatloaf. Some of my favorites are:

1/2 cup diced green or red bell peppers.

1 small can of drained mushroom pieces.

1/2 cup diced onions

Leftover Meatloaf

If you find yourself with leftovers, you can certainly freeze leftover meatloaf. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top bag in the freezer. This should stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.

OR wrap tightly and place in the refrigerator. Leftover meatloaf is fantastic the next day in a Meatloaf Sandwich. Seriously, you should try it! 🙂

How to Reheat Leftover Meatloaf

Place meatloaf on a baking sheet or in a small casserole dish. Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until hot. Want to do it faster? Place on a microwave-safe plate and pop into the microwave for a few minutes. Microwaves vary, so you will need to be the judge on when it’s hot enough. 

What To Serve For A Classic Meatloaf Dinner

For an all-time comfort food meal, garlic mashed potatoes are perfect with meatloaf. They are creamy, with a hint of garlic. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes just go together.

Hashbrown Casserole

Corn on the Cob

Creamed Corn

Southern Fried Cabbage and Onions

Other comfort food recipes:

Mac and cheese

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Chicken Casserole

Chicken and Dumplings