Hello People! Austin Carter here from Beyond the Bayou Blog serving you delicious Meatloaf -it’s one of those classic comfort foods that just hits different, you know? For me, it’s more than just a meal, it’s a memory.
See, my dad was the meatloaf master in our house growing up. He had this special recipe passed down from his mom that was straight-up magic. Whenever he fired up the oven, the whole place would fill up with this outrageous smell of beef, onions, and who-knows-what-else that made your mouth water like crazy.
But it was more than just the taste. Meatloaf night meant family time – all of us gathering around the table, digging in, and catching up on each other’s lives between bites. No phones, no distractions, just good food and good people.
So this meatloaf? It’s a little slice of my childhood. A taste of tradition that never gets old. Let me show you how Dad used to make it.
Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup dried bread crumbs
- salt and pepper to taste
- â…“ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, milk, bread crumbs, and egg; season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf shape.
- In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until well combined.
- Pour the ketchup mixture over the meatloaf, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until no longer pink in the center.
Nutrition
Try out These Variations!
- Meat Variation: Instead of all ground beef, you can use ½ pound of lean ground pork or a mix of 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of ground turkey (ensure turkey is cooked to 165°F).
- Seasoning Options: Enhance the flavor with simple additions like garlic powder (1 tsp), Worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp), or cooked and chopped green bell pepper.
- Brown Sugar Glaze: Make a delicious glaze by combining equal parts brown sugar and ketchup with 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar, replacing the topping in the recipe.
- Brown Gravy: Alternatively, skip the meatloaf topping entirely and serve it with brown gravy, whether homemade, leftover, or from a package.
- Personalize Your Recipe: The perfect meatloaf is one that suits your taste. Consider adding brown sugar to your ketchup or spicing up your beef with garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh parsley for extra flavor.
- Turkey Variation: For a lighter option, switch out the lean ground beef for ground turkey to create a homemade turkey meatloaf recipe.
- Cheesy Variation: Try something indulgent by incorporating a hot, melted cheese filling in the center of your meatloaf for a deliciously cheesy twist.
What to Serve with Meatloaf?
