Description
This hearty and juicy baked meatloaf is a classic comfort food favorite made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and a flavorful blend of herbs and spices, topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe delivers a moist and tender meatloaf with a savory crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 0.25 cup milk
- 0.5 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Glaze
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the meatloaf evenly.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon, taking care not to overmix to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Form the mixture into a loaf shape either on a baking sheet or press it into a greased loaf pan for a more uniform shape.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth to create a flavorful glaze for the meatloaf.
- Glaze the Meatloaf: Brush the prepared glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf to add a delicious sweet and tangy crust while baking.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring it’s fully cooked but still juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute for moist, tender slices.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to maintain a tender texture.
- Using a meat thermometer ensures the meatloaf is safely cooked to 160°F.
- Allowing the meatloaf to rest before slicing helps prevent it from crumbling.
- You can substitute ground beef with a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
