The Best Meatloaf Recipe

Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever (Brown Sugar Glaze!)

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This is THE Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever with a mouthwatering brown sugar glaze! It is a savory and hearty combination of ground beef, eggs, tangy condiments (ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard), flavorful Italian bread crumbs, and Lipton Beefy Onion Soup packet, all baked together and topped with a sweet, ketchup and brown sugar glaze.

The best meatloaf recipe slice and served on a white plate.

This meatloaf recipe is an easy weeknight dinner that is sure to become a family favorite. Not only is it tasty, but it is hearty and filling. Compare it to a hamburger, and your kids will be sold! They will be shocked to find out that it tastes even better than a burger because it is packed with flavor. The Italian bread crumbs, the condiment mixture, and the onion soup mix give it so much zest that every bite is a tasty treat. Top that with the sweet sauce, and you have an entree that is absolutely irresistible.

    One of the best parts about this meatloaf recipe (besides how delicious it is) is how simple it is to make. I love to have my kids help, especially with the mixing. Once you have lined and sprayed your pan, you basically just mix up your ingredients and then squish them all together in a bowl. Once you press it in a pan and put it in the oven, youโ€™ll whip up your glaze.  Then just top the meatloaf with the glaze and bake for a few more minutes. The bake time of this dish gives you plenty of time to get your sides ready. In just an hour or so, youโ€™ll have a tasty dinner entree ready for your whole family to enjoy!

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Best Meatloaf Recipe

  • Itโ€™s the perfect combination of a savory meat mixture topped with a sweet glaze.
  • This meatloaf is simple to make.
  • It makes a tasty weeknight dinner that your whole family will enjoy.
  • You probably already have all of the ingredients that you need in your kitchen!
  • It is a very hearty and filling entree, and it pairs well with just about everything.

Equipment Needed To Make This Simple Meatloaf Recipe

  • Baking Sheet   
  • Foil
  • Cooking Spray
  • Large Bowl

Ingredients To Make The Best Meatloaf Recipe

  • Ground Beef: I prefer 80/20 using a high fat content beef with make the juiciest meatloaf. If you prefer a leaner ground beef. I suggest adding more wet ingredients like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and milk to keep it from drying out.
  • Eggs: This is the key ingredient to help keep everything together.
  • Ketchup: Used in both the glaze and in the meatloaf to add a tangy flavor.
  • Worcestershire sauce: A key ingredient in meatloaf and adds so much depth of flavor.
  • Yellow mustard: Helps add a little zing to the flavor.
  • Breadcrumbs: Italian seasoning bread crumbs are my go to for this recipe. Because they add so much flavor. You can use any type of bread crumb that you like as long as are dry and not fresh.
  • Milk: Used to add moisture to the breadcrumbs to help bind everything together.
  • Salt & Black Pepper: Iโ€™ve listed recommended amounts since obviously you should never taste test raw meat. Add more if desired after cooking.
  • Lipton beefy onion soup: This is what add the most flavor. If you can not find this Lipton onion soup will work as well.
  • Brown Sugar: Perfect to add a hint of sweetness to the tangy glaze.
Homemade Meatloaf Ingredients

How To Make The Best Meatloaf Recipe

The first thing you will want to do is ditch the pan and bake this on a baking sheet. I have found that if you use a pan the meatloaf comes out mushy. So you will want to line the baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it with cooking spray. Then set it aside and grab a medium mixing bowl. You will want to mix the eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs and set them aside.

Next, you will add the ground beef, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, pepper, and Lipton beefy onion soup to a large bowl. Use your hands to mush and mix these ingredients until well combined. Then mix in eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs.

Once your ingredients are mixed well form it into an 8″x4″ loaf on the prepared baking tray. Then bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cook meatloaf on a baking sheet

How To Make The Best Meatloaf Sauce

A perfect blend of sweet and tangy.

In a small bowl you will mix the ketchup and brown sugar. Start the sauce about 5 minutes before the meatloaf is done cooking. Then spread the sauce over the meatloaf and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. The total cook time will be 55-60 minutes.

Meatloaf Sauce

Why Does My Meatloaf Fall Apart?

The most common reason that your meatloaf is falling apart. Is that you did not use enough binding ingredients. This recipe calls for eggs and bread crumbs because they are key ingredients that keep the meat stuck together. Not letting your meatloaf rest is another common reason why your meatloaf is falling apart. Rest the meatloaf for 10 minutes. This gives the juices time to redistribute and settle back into the beef. This will also ensure you have the juiciest meatloaf.

What to Serve/Pair with Your Best Meatloaf Recipe

This delicious meatloaf pairs well with just about anything. For side items, I like to make these Easy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes and this Grilled Asparagus.

While any dessert pairs well with this meatloaf, a few of my favorites are these Hershey Kiss Sโ€™more Cookies, these Skinny No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Bites, or these Brownie Cookies.

You can never go wrong with chocolate! 

Popular Substitutions & Additions

  • Some people prefer gravy on top of their meatloaf instead of a sweeter glaze. Feel free to substitute your favorite gravy in place of the glaze.
  • If you want some texture in your meatloaf, instead of the Italian breadcrumbs, toss panko crumbs with Italian seasoning.
  • A non-dairy milk substitute can be used in place of dairy milk.

How To Reheat & Store Delicious Meatloaf Recipe

This meatloaf tastes delicious leftover! The flavors really soak into the meat. To store your leftover meatloaf, place it in a sealed container. Once it has completely cooled, place it in the fridge. It will last for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions for 2 minutes in the microwave. For larger portions, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and heat for 20 minutes, or until warm.

This meatloaf recipe can also be frozen! Once it has completely cooled, place it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container and put it in the freezer. It will last for up to 6 weeks. When you are ready to cook your meatloaf, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then heat as directed above.

Best Meatloaf Recipe FAQs

Can I use a mixer, or do I have to squish it with my hands?

Youโ€™ll want to mix this meatloaf mixture with your hands. This ensures that the seasonings and flavor will be spread to every bite.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Sure, you can use ground turkey in this meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to check and make sure that it is completely done, as turkey has a different cook time than beef.

Do I have to use the Lipton brand soup mix?

Nope, for this meatloaf recipe, you can use whichever brand is your favorite, but Iโ€™ve found that the Lipton brand pairs really well with the other condiments in this recipe.

Other Ground Beef Recipes Youโ€™ll Love

Donโ€™t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Best Meatloaf Recipe Turned Out!

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Best Meatloaf Recipe

This is the best meatloaf recipe ever and is so easy to make! It comes out juicy every time and has the most amazing flavor. Made with ground beef, spices, onion soup mix, and a tangy glaze. It will become one of your family's favorite homemade recipes.
4.89 from 36 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 54 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 4 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 421 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf

  • 2 lbs ground beef ( I prefer 80/20)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ยฝ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 cup Italian seasoning bread crumbs
  • ยพ cup milk
  • ยฝ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 packet Lipton beefy onion soup

Glaze

  • ยฝ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (packed)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. line your baking sheet with foil and spray with non stick cooking spray. Then set aside.
  • In a large bowl add eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs. Mix together until well incorporated.
  • Then, add ground beef, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, pepper and Lipton Beefy Onion Soup. Use your hands to mush and mix the ingredients together until well combined.
  • Form a 8โ€ณx4โ€ณ loaf on the prepared baking tray. Then, bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine the brown sugar and ketchup. Spread the mixture over the meatloaf and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. The total cook time will be 55-60 minutes or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160F.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before serving (or it may fall apart)
  • Serve while hot and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure to mix the meat really well. This is a very moist meatloaf recipe so under mixing can cause the meatloaf to fall apart.
*Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on Modernmealmakeover.com should only be used as a general guideline.
ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 19.3gProtein: 32gFat: 22.5gSaturated Fat: 8.4gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 762mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 11.7gVitamin D: 5ยตgCalcium: 93mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Best Meatloaf Recipe, Meatloaf
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18 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Can you believe that I have never tried meatloaf before. I need to give this a try, as it looks amazing.

  2. 5 stars
    The Italian breadcrumbs are such a great touch in this meatloaf! So comforting and satisfying!

  3. 5 stars
    Meatloaf is one of my favorite dinners. This is a wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing!

  4. 5 stars
    That meatloaf looks so moist and tasty! I agree, overmixing tends to make it tough so go easy on your loaf.

  5. Gail Montero

    5 stars
    This meatloaf looks absolutely tasty and moist and something my family will enjoy for sure!

  6. I didnโ€™t have onion soup mix, so omitted, I added parsley, onions and peppers. It was absolutely delicious, will make again โค๏ธ

    • So glad you like it. Next time you make it you definitely need to try the onion soup mix. But I love the substitutions you made.

  7. 5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    I tried it and it was really good. Glad I found it and made it for the hubby. It is very tender and may need more bread crumbs (I used the Italian bread crumbs) next time I make it. But will definitely make it often. Thank you for the dinner we just had.

  9. Can I add more breadcrumbs to this recipe to soak up some moisture in the meatloaf? I prefer my meatloaf with a little more bite and texture as opposed to more mushy/tender.

4.89 from 36 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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