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Home › Recipes
7 Comments

Best Meatloaf Ever

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jan 26, 2025

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Classic meatloaf done right is one of those ultimate comfort foods that always hits the spot. And this recipe has one or two secret tricks that truly make it the best meatloaf ever! Moist, tender, loaded with flavor, plus the perfect texture and a caramelized, smoky glaze, this is traditional southern meatloaf!

Classic meatloaf recipe with best savory glaze


The Engineer claims that meatloaf is one of those fantastically delicious meals that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Serve it up with side dishes like fluffy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes or Ultimate Pepper Jack Macaroni & Cheese for a knockout Sunday family dinner or make-ahead weeknight supper. The leftovers the next day are a practically a delicacy. You know what I’m talking about- that magical meatloaf sandwich!

RELATED RECIPE: SOUTHERN STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

But what makes it so good? Yep, it’s that gorgeously tangy glaze. But, it’s also those savory onions, bell peppers and a sprinkle of garlic. And there’s no doubt it’s all about really good beef. But a truly delicious meatloaf recipe? It all starts with a really good sear.

Serve a classic family comfort meal with meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Best Meatloaf & Glaze Ingredients

  • ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 lean to fat ratio)
  • yellow onion, finely diced
  • green bell pepper, finely diced
  • eggs
  • flour – I use flour instead of bread crumbs. It’s easy, always on hand, accomplishes the same goal as breadcrumbs, creates an even texture and is easily substituted with a nut flour for those on low carb diets.
  • canned milk (evaporated milk)
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • salt, pepper, garlic powder
  • tomato sauce
  • BBQ Sauce – You can use your favorite grocery store brand or make your own with this recipe!
pro tip for  making the best meatloaf
Ingredients for a moist and tender meatloaf

How to Make This Classic Meatloaf

Mix. Mix together all the ingredients for the meatloaf (except the flour and milk) just enough to evenly distribute the ingredients throughout the ground beef. Add in flour and milk, being careful not to overmix.

Sear in Moisture & Flavor. Form approximately a 9×5 loaf with the beef mixture. Add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom of a skillet or dutch oven ⅛-1/4 of an inch deep. Heat oil and carefully add loaf using a spatula or tongs. Sear loaf on both sides and remove skillet with loaf in it from the stove top.

Pro tip for making moist and flavorful meatloaf

Make the Glaze. Whisk together all the ingredients for meatloaf glaze. Pour them right over the top of the loaf while it is still in the skillet with any renderings or oil still in the bottom. The glaze will thicken and reduce as it cooks. This thick, red glaze is always everyone’s favorite part!

Bake. Place skillet in oven and bake for 45 – 50 minutes. Halfway through baking, spoon extra glaze from the skillet over the loaf. When baking time is finished, remove your meatloaf from the oven to let it rest before moving it to a platter or slicing to serve.

pro tip for slicing and serving meatloaf
Slice meatloaf after it has rested for 10 minutes to keep from falling apart

FAQs About Making the Best Meatloaf

Why do you add milk to meatloaf? Milk adds additional moisture and fat to the recipe which is important in creating a flavorful, tender meatloaf.

Should I cover my meatloaf when baking it? Don’t cover it! The direct heat is necessary to caramelize and thicken those glaze ingredients.

Why does my meatloaf fall apart? Meatloaf can fall apart if it hasn’t rested properly before slicing or if there are not enough fats (too lean of beef or no milk) or too little binding agents, like eggs and flour, in the recipe.

easy classic meatloaf recipe with smoky, tangy BBQ glaze

Making Meatloaf Ahead of Time + Freezing

Meatloaf is a perfect recipe for making ahead of time or for doubling to make one for now and freeze one for later!

To Make It Ahead of Time. Simply assemble the loaf as directed. Then, wrap unseared loaf in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days before searing, glazing and baking.

To Freeze. Freezing follows the same process! Simply heavily wrap unseared loaf and store in a freezer-safe zip proof bag in your freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and pick up with instructions from there!

Other Classic Comfort Recipes You’ll Love

  • Classic Family Pot Roast
  • Classic Chicken Pot Pie
  • Easy One Pot Beef Stroganoff
  • Southern Chicken & Dumplings
  • Easy Southern Salmon Patties

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW!

RATE IT, LEAVE A COMMENT OR SNAP A PHOTO.

Tag me on Instagram at #southerndiscourse
easy classic meatloaf recipe with smoky, tangy BBQ glaze

Best Meatloaf Ever

Classic meatloaf done right is one of those ultimate comfort foods that always hits the spot. And this recipe has one or two secret tricks that truly make it the best meatloaf ever!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: classic, comfort food, family meal
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 5 people
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef, 85/15 or 90/10 lean to fat ratio
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup canned milk (evaporated milk)
  • cooking oil

Glaze Ingredients

  • 15 ounce tomato sauce
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • splash of Worcestershire sauce
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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
  • Mix together all ingredients for the meatloaf except the flour and milk. Mix just enough to evenly distribute the ingredients throughout the ground beef. Add in flour and milk, being careful not to overmix.
  • Form a loaf with the beef mixture. Add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom of a skillet or dutch oven ⅛-1/4 of an inch deep. Heat oil and add loaf. Sear on both sides and remove skillet from heat.
  • Whisk together ingredients for meatloaf glaze. Pour over top of meatloaf with any renderings or oil still in the bottom of the skillet.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45 – 50 minutes or until meatloaf reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway through baking, spoon extra sauce from skillet over the loaf. When baking time is finished, remove from oven. Let rest for 10 minutes before moving to a platter or slicing to serve.

Video

Notes

To Make It Ahead of Time. Simply assemble the loaf as directed. Then, wrap unseared loaf in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days before searing, glazing and baking.
To Freeze. Freezing follows the same process! Simply heavily wrap unseared loaf and store in a freezer-safe zip proof bag in your freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and pick up with instructions from there!
easy classic meatloaf recipe with smoky, tangy BBQ glaze
Did you make my Best Meatloaf Ever?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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MEATLOAF INSPIRATION
Classic meatloaf done right is one of those ultimate comfort foods that always hits the spot.  And this recipe has one or two secret tricks that truly make the best meatloaf ever!  Moist, tender, loaded with flavor and topped with a caramelized, smoky glaze, get ready to enjoy meatloaf the way it was meant to be.

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Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: comfort food, southern staples, spring dinners, winter classics

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoShannon

    January 6, 2022 at 4:16 pm

    This sounds delicious. However, what is canned milk? Is it evaporated milk?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      January 6, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      Hi, Shannon! Yes, it is!

      Reply
      • Avatar photoShannon

        January 6, 2022 at 7:26 pm

        Great! Thank you!

        Reply
  2. Avatar photoAnne

    January 7, 2022 at 9:42 am

    Do you have a Stew Recipe on hand you could share?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      January 7, 2022 at 11:15 am

      Hi, Anne! I am actually working on that today!

      Reply
  3. Avatar photoSuzanne

    January 18, 2022 at 2:42 am

    What temperature do you bake? It is not mentioned

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      January 18, 2022 at 10:45 am

      Hi, Suzanne! You are right about that! Thank you. I’ve corrected it in the recipe card. It’s 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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