Delicious Meatloaf Recipe

The Ultimate Classic Meatloaf Recipe – Comfort Food at Its Best! There’s nothing quite like a juicy, flavour-packed meatloaf fresh out of the oven. It’s hearty, satisfying, and pure comfort food—the kind of meal that brings back childhood memories and makes your kitchen smell amazing!

This classic meatloaf recipe is easy to make, incredibly tender, and packed with rich, savoury flavours. The secret? A perfect blend of seasoned ground meat, onions, garlic, and breadcrumbs, plus a mouth-watering sweet and tangy glaze that caramelises beautifully in the oven.

Course Main Course

Cuisine English

Keyword Delicious Meatloaf Recipe, Meatloaf, meatloaf recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Servings People

Calories 422

Ingredients

For the glaze:

2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp mustard
Parsley to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4.
In a frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Set aside to cool slightly.

Mix the Meatloaf:

In a large bowl, combine the minced beef, cooked onion and garlic, grated carrot, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well combined.

Shape the Meatloaf:

Transfer the meat mixture to a lined baking tray. Shape it into a loaf approximately 20cm long.

Prepare the Glaze:

In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.

Bake:

Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the glaze is caramelised.

Rest and Serve:

Allow the meatloaf to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley (optional). Serve with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.

Notes

Preparation Tips

Preparation is key to nailing that perfect meatloaf recipe. Start by gently mixing your ingredients using your hands; this ensures an even distribution of flavours without overworking the meat, which can result in a dense texture. When shaping your meatloaf, opt for forming it on a baking tray rather than using a tin. This method promotes even cooking and prevents the loaf from retaining excess moisture. Aim for a uniform thickness across the loaf, which helps in achieving consistent doneness throughout.

Before placing the meatloaf in the oven, consider letting it rest for a few minutes. This allows the breadcrumbs and other binders to absorb the moisture fully, ensuring a cohesive mixture. If you're adding a glaze, apply a thin layer initially, and then add more during the final stages of baking for a beautifully caramelised finish. Remember, patience is vital; rushing the preparation steps can lead to an underwhelming result.

Lastly, if you wish to add extra vegetables like carrots or onions, make sure they are finely chopped or grated. This ensures they blend seamlessly into the meat mixture, contributing to both the flavour and texture of your classic meatloaf.

Nutrition