Cooking Lucid
Classic Meatloaf
Tender, juicy meatloaf with a sweet ketchup glaze — the ultimate comfort food dinner. Makes great leftovers and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes.
Prep 15 min
Cook 1h
Total 1h 15m
Serves 6
Ingredients
Step 1 — Make the meatloaf mixture
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Step 2 — Make the glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Step 3 — Serve
- Mashed potatoes
- Green beans or roasted carrots
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Mix the meatloaf
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix gently with your hands until just combined — do not overwork or the meatloaf will be dense.
- 2
Shape and glaze
Transfer the mixture to a 9x5 loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a foil-lined baking sheet. Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. Spread half the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
- 3
Bake
Bake 50–60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Spread the remaining glaze over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing — this keeps the slices neat and juicy.
- 4
Serve
Slice and serve with mashed potatoes and green beans or roasted carrots. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches the next day.
Nutrition per serving: 420 cal · 32g protein · 18g carbs · 24g fat · 1g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
