The Best Easy Meatloaf Recipe With A Tangy Homemade Glaze

Crafting a mouthwatering meatloaf with an irresistible glaze brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a classic dish that feels like a warm hug.

Meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings combine into a perfect symphony of flavors.

Families adore this simple yet delicious meal that comes together quickly.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this foolproof recipe that never disappoints.

Home cooks will love how effortlessly this dish satisfies everyone around the table.

Savor each bite and watch as smiles spread across hungry faces.

Easy Meatloaf With The Glossiest Glaze

• Customize Your Flavor: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef with turkey or adding your favorite herbs and spices to create a personalized twist on a traditional dish.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Guaranteed to please both kids and adults with its deliciously sweet and tangy glaze, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknight dinners or casual weekend gatherings.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Taste: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal without complicated cooking skills.

Ingredients For Easy Glazed Meatloaf

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and juicy protein that forms the foundation of the classic meatloaf.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg, Milk: These ingredients help bind the meatloaf together and keep it moist and tender.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A tangy condiment that enhances the meat's savory flavor profile.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that provide depth and richness to the meatloaf.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the meat's natural taste.

• Ketchup: A sweet and tangy base for the meatloaf's signature topping.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a caramelized sweetness to the glaze.
• Mustard: Contributes a subtle sharp and tangy note to the glaze.

Steps To Moist, Flavorful Meatloaf

Step 1: Warm Up The Cooking Space

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C).

Grab your loaf pan and give it a light coating of cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create The Meaty Mixture

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Milk
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently mix everything together until just combined.

Don’t overwork the meat or it might turn tough.

Step 3: Shape The Meatloaf

Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared pan.

Use your hands to spread it evenly, creating a smooth, compact loaf that will cook perfectly.

Step 4: Whip Up The Tangy Glaze

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Mustard

Spread this sweet and zesty glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf, covering every inch for maximum flavor.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let it bake for 45-50 minutes.

The meatloaf is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Step 6: Rest And Serve

Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven.

This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring each slice is moist and delicious.

Slice and serve warm, watching everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Pro Tips For Easy Meatloaf Success

• Gently mix ingredients to prevent tough, dense meatloaf – overmixing can make the texture heavy and compact.
• Add milk and Worcestershire sauce to keep the meatloaf moist and enhance its rich, savory flavor profile.
• Brush the sweet-tangy glaze generously and evenly for a caramelized, glossy top that adds delicious depth to the dish.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf reaches 160F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat every time.
• Allow the meatloaf to rest after baking, letting juices redistribute for a more tender and flavorful slice.

Glazed Meatloaf: Flavorful Variations To Try

• Turkey Meatloaf: Replace ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lighter, lower-fat version that's equally delicious and protein-packed.
• Vegetarian Lentil Loaf: Swap meat with cooked lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts, using flax egg as a binder for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Meatloaf: Substitute breadcrumbs with grated cauliflower or almond flour to reduce carbohydrate content for keto dieters.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Slicing And Serving Easy Meatloaf

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Place the warm meatloaf on a rustic wooden board surrounded by roasted seasonal vegetables for a hearty family meal.
• Elegant Plating Approach: Slice the meatloaf carefully and arrange on individual plates with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for a balanced presentation.
• Comfort Food Pairing: Serve alongside a crisp garden salad and warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious glaze, creating a satisfying and complete meal that everyone will love.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining slices into delicious sandwiches the next day, using toasted bread and a spread of extra glaze for a quick and tasty lunch option.

Storing Meatloaf For Meals Ahead

• Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain moisture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual slices or the entire meatloaf in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, labeling with the date for easy tracking.
• Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature to ensure it reaches 165F (74C) throughout.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat for this meatloaf?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a mixture of meats for variety and different flavor profiles.

• How do I prevent my meatloaf from becoming dry?

Use a mixture of ground meat with some fat content, avoid overmixing the ingredients, and don’t overcook. Adding milk and egg helps keep the meatloaf moist.

• Is it necessary to use Worcestershire sauce?

While not mandatory, Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami flavor to the meatloaf. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with soy sauce or skip it entirely.

Easy Meatloaf Recipe With The Best Glaze Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty classic Homestyle Meatloaf brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending ground beef, herbs, and a tangy-sweet glaze that elevates this traditional favorite. Savory layers of flavor promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
• 1 large egg

Binding and Texture Ingredients:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup milk

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a loaf pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper, then set oven temperature to 375F (190C).
2. Thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, minced onion, crushed garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl, ensuring ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
3. Transfer meat mixture into prepared pan, carefully spreading and smoothing the surface to create an even, compact loaf shape.
4. Create a tangy glaze by whisking ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until well combined and glossy.
5. Generously brush the prepared glaze across the entire surface of the raw meatloaf, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
6. Slide the pan into preheated oven and roast for 45-50 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 160F (71C) for food safety.
7. Remove meatloaf from oven and allow it to rest undisturbed for 5-10 minutes, which helps retain moisture and makes slicing easier.
8. Slice into thick, hearty portions and serve warm, allowing the rich flavors and glazed exterior to be fully appreciated.

Notes

• Prevent overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender and avoid a tough, dense texture.
• Choose lean ground beef (85-90% lean) for a moist meatloaf that isn’t too greasy.
• Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
• Let the meatloaf rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice remains succulent and flavorful.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 275 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg