Classic American Meatloaf
In short: A tender loaf of beef and pork seasoned with onion and herbs, baked under a sweet and sharp ketchup glaze and sliced thick for a family supper. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 470 kcal
Meatloaf is home cooking at its most familiar, a weeknight supper that is also sliced cold for sandwiches the next day. The goal is a loaf that is tender, not dense, and that holds together when cut. Soaking breadcrumbs in milk keeps the meat moist, and mixing beef with a little pork adds richness. A glaze of ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar caramelizes on top as it bakes.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
- Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat and cook the onion for 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic for 1 minute, then let the mixture cool.
- Stir the breadcrumbs into the milk and leave for 5 minutes until mushy.
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, onion mixture, soaked breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, pepper and parsley. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, because overmixing makes the loaf tough.
- Shape the meat into a loaf about 23 x 12 cm (9 x 5 in) on the baking sheet. A free-form loaf browns on all sides.
- Stir the glaze ingredients together and set half aside in a clean bowl. Brush the rest over the loaf and bake for 30 minutes. Brush with the reserved glaze using a clean brush, then bake 25 to 30 minutes more, until the center reads 71°C (160°F).
- Rest the meatloaf for 10 minutes, then slice it about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick.
Tips
- To check the seasoning, fry a small spoonful of the mixture until cooked through and taste it before you shape the loaf.
- A loaf pan gives softer sides but traps fat, so pour it off before slicing. Leftover slices make excellent sandwiches, cold or fried in a little butter.
Questions and answers
How do I keep meatloaf from falling apart?
Use eggs and soaked breadcrumbs as binders, do not overmix, and rest the loaf for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices settle.
Can I freeze meatloaf?
Yes. Freeze the shaped raw loaf, well wrapped, for up to 3 months and bake it after thawing. Cooked slices also freeze for 2 months.
What do you serve with meatloaf?
Mashed potatoes, green beans or glazed carrots are the classic sides.
How long does it take to make Classic American Meatloaf?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Classic American Meatloaf?
About 470 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 24 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 470 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 980 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
