The Ultimate Juicy Meatloaf Guaranteed to Impress

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever had a meatloaf that tasted like cardboard? Yeah, me too. Let's change that with the best meatloaf recipe ever .

This one is juicy, flavourful, and guaranteed to become a family favourite.

Brief Overview

Meatloaf is classic comfort food recipes with roots in both American and European cuisine. This classic meatloaf recipe takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and serves 6-8 people.

It's a medium difficulty recipe perfect for a weeknight meal.

Main Benefits

Packed with protein, this beef meatloaf easy is both satisfying and nutritious. It is perfect for a family dinner ideas or a potluck, and is a crowd pleaser.

What makes this juicy meatloaf recipe special is the blend of meats and a tangy glaze.

Ready to dive in? Let's talk ingredients.

Ingredients for a Stellar Meatloaf

First up, you'll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then grab one medium yellow onion, two cloves of garlic, one large carrot, and one stalk of celery.

Don't forget 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary. These will build the base of your great meatloaf recipes .

Next, the meat! Grab 1 pound of ground beef, 1/2 pound of ground pork, and 1/2 pound of ground Italian sausage.

For the moist meatloaf recipes best easy you'll need 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup of milk. Two large eggs, two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and one tablespoon of Dijon mustard will add that extra tang.

Salt and pepper to taste, plus 1/4 cup of fresh parsley for a pop of colour.

For the glaze, you'll need 1/2 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

The homemade meatloaf glaze seals the deal. Trust me.

Preparing the Base

Now, we start cooking. First, let’s get our aromatic base sorted. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Toss in the diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery.

Sauté them until they soften up, around 5- 7 minutes.

Add the dried thyme and rosemary. Cook for another minute. This blooming of the herbs enhances their flavour. Let the mixture cool slightly before adding it to the meat.

This step is key to a moist meatloaf.

Mixing and Baking

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, pork, and sausage. Add the breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and parsley.

Then, gently mix in the cooled vegetable mixture. Avoid overmixing. Overmixing can make the meatloaf tough.

Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Then, mix the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and spread half of it over the meatloaf.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350° F ( 175° C) for 60 minutes. Finally, spread the remaining glaze and bake for another 15- 20 minutes.

Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165° F ( 74° C).

Enjoy!

And that’s it, you’re done! The secret to the easy best meatloaf recipe is that you let it rest. Let the meatloaf rest for 10- 15 minutes before slicing.

This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moister and more flavourful meatloaf. Trust me on this one, I even got my picky sister to ask for second helpings.

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks with what you'll need to make this best meatloaf recipe a reality. No fancy pants ingredients here, just good, honest stuff.

Honestly, you probably have most of it already kicking about in your kitchen.

Ingredients: The Heart of the Best Meatloaf Ever Recipe

Forget about complicated ingredients, we're keeping it real!

Main Players

• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Nothing fancy, just your regular cooking oil.
• Yellow onion: 1 medium (approx. 1 cup, 150g) , finely diced. Size matters, we are after a medium size onion!
• Garlic: 2 cloves (approx. 2 teaspoons, 6g) , minced. If you love garlic, add another clove.
• Carrot: 1 large (approx. ½ cup, 75g) , finely diced. Trust me; it adds a bit of sweetness.
• Celery: 1 stalk (approx. ½ cup, 50g) , finely diced. Adds a nice savory note.
• Dried thyme: 1 teaspoon (2g) . Don't skimp on this, it's essential .
• Dried rosemary: ½ teaspoon (1g) . If you only have fresh, use 1 teaspoon, minced .
• Ground beef: 1 pound (450g) . 80/20 blend is best for flavour and moisture.
• Ground pork: ½ pound (225g) . This adds loads of flavour.
• Italian sausage: ½ pound (225g) , casings removed. Adds a kick to the classic meatloaf recipe .
• Panko breadcrumbs: 1 cup (60g) . Adds texture, that's all you need!
• Milk: ½ cup (120ml) . Whole milk works best .
• Eggs: 2 large, lightly beaten . Think about the birds when buying eggs.
• Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . The magic ingredient for richness.
• Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Adds tang and complexity.
• Kosher salt: 2 teaspoons (10g) . Seasoning is key .
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon (5g) . Freshly ground is best .
• Fresh parsley: ¼ cup, chopped (15g) , optional. Just a bit of freshness, eh?
• Ketchup: ½ cup (120ml) .
• Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons (30g) , packed. Adds sweetness and helps it caramelize.
• Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon (15ml) .
• Smoked paprika: ½ teaspoon (1g) . Adds a subtle smoky flavour.

Seasoning Sensations

These spices will give your meatloaf a flavour bomb! Thyme and rosemary is essential . A little smoked paprika in the glaze? Chef's kiss !

Equipment Check

Don't panic; you likely have everything!

• Large skillet: For the sofrito.
• Large mixing bowl: For mixing all the ingredients.
• 9x5 inch loaf pan: For baking.
• Instant read thermometer: Essential to make sure it is cooked!

Right, now that you've got your ingredients sorted, lets get cooking some comfort food recipes . If you want the best juicy meatloaf recipe that's easy , you need to stay with me!

Cooking the Best Meatloaf Recipe : My No-Fail Method

Let's be real. We've all had that meatloaf. You know, the dry, crumbly kind that tastes like...well, disappointment. But, fear not! I'm here to share what I consider to be the best meatloaf ever recipe .

Seriously, this is my go-to, and it's a total crowd pleaser. This easy best meatloaf recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prep Steps: Your Meatloaf Mise en Place

Getting organised is key, right? This beef meatloaf easy recipe needs a bit of prep. First, dice your onion, garlic, carrot, and celery.

This is called a sofrito , and it's the flavour bomb that elevates this classic meatloaf recipe . Measure out your spices, breadcrumbs, milk, and glaze ingredients.

Everything should be ready to go! Mise en place , as the posh chefs say.

A little tip? Chop the veggies while the oven preheats to 350° F ( 175° C) . Time saver, innit?

step-by-step: Let's Make Some Magic Happen

1. Sauté those diced veggies with some olive oil until soft. It takes around 5- 7 minutes . Then, toss in your thyme and rosemary for the last minute. Set it aside to cool slightly.
2. In a big bowl, gently combine the ground beef, pork, sausage, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and the cooled veggie mix. Don't overmix ! It'll make your meatloaf tough.
3. Squish that mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Make it even, yeah?
4. Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, and smoked paprika. This is your glaze.
5. Slather half of that glaze over the meatloaf. Bake for 60 minutes .
6. Add the rest of the glaze and bake for another 15- 20 minutes . Get it to an internal temp of 165° F ( 74° C) .
7. Let it rest for 10- 15 minutes before slicing.

Pro Tips for Juicy Meatloaf Recipe Greatness

Honestly, I've made a few mistakes with this recipe. One time, I didn't let it rest. Big mistake! The juices ran everywhere, and it fell apart.

So, seriously, let it rest. This moist meatloaf recipes best easy really benefits from it.

For that juicy meatloaf recipe , make sure you don't overcook it. Use a thermometer! If you want to prep ahead, mix everything together, put it in the loaf pan, cover it, and stick it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

The homemade meatloaf glaze is super versatile! Add a dash of hot sauce for a kick.

So there you have it. My secrets to the best meatloaf recipe . Whether it's for a comforting family dinner ideas , or just something easy and delicious, it's a winner.

This recipe is one of the most loved comfort food recipes for a reason. Now get in the kitchen and give it a go! I know you will create the best meatloaf ever recipe !

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Meatloaf Game

Right then, let's talk meatloaf specifics. I've made this best meatloaf recipe more times than I can count. Honestly, it's a weeknight regular in my house.

I will share a lot of tips and tricks. Ready?

Serving Suggestions: Make it a Feast!

Think about plating. A good looking plate makes all the difference. Slice that juicy meatloaf recipe nice and thick. Fan it out on the plate.

A sprig of parsley adds a pop of colour.

For sides, go classic. Creamy mash is always a winner. So is roasted veg like carrots and parsnips. Fancy a drink? A good red wine, or even a pint of proper ale, goes down a treat with this comfort food recipe .

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Beef Meatloaf Easy recipe keeps well. Pop it in the fridge within two hours of cooking.

Make sure it's in an airtight container. It will be good for up to three days.

Want to freeze it? Go for it. Slice it up first. Then, freeze individual portions. That way, you can grab a slice for a quick sandwich.

When reheating, microwave until piping hot. The internal temperature must be at least 165° F ( 74° C) .

Variations: Make it Your Own!

Honestly, this is a very versatile recipe. Want it spicier? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Or even a splash of hot sauce to the glaze.

Need a gluten-free version? Easy peasy. Just swap out the breadcrumbs for gluten-free ones. Turkey meatloaf is also an option.

Just sub the beef and pork for ground turkey. You might need a bit of extra moisture.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness Inside

Let's be real. Meatloaf isn't health food, exactly. But it does pack a protein punch. Each serving has around 35g of protein.

It also offers iron and B vitamins. It is all about balance, isn't it?

So there you have it. Everything you need to make this Easy Best Meatloaf Recipe a success. Don't be scared to experiment.

Find your own style! With a bit of love, you'll have a Moist Meatloaf Recipes Best Easy that will impress everyone.

Happy cooking! I know you'll make the Best Meatloaf Ever Recipe !