Tender And Flavorful Meatloaf
- Cathy Weaver
- Jul 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29


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Tender & Flavorful Meatloaf
A classic, comforting meatloaf made with real ingredients and a tangy homemade glaze — no canned soup shortcuts here.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
½ cup whole milk
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp dried thyme
For the Glaze
½ cup ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Preheat & Prep Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Sauté the Aromatics
Warm the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Mix the Meatloaf
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, parsley, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme with the cooled onion mixture. Mix gently with your hands just until combined — overmixing will make the loaf dense.
Shape the Loaf
Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan or baking sheet and shape into a loaf about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide. Smooth the top and sides evenly.
Make the Glaze
Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until smooth.
First Bake
Spread half the glaze evenly over the top of the loaf. Bake for 35 minutes.
Glaze & Finish Baking
Remove from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top. Return to the oven and bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, about 20–25 more minutes.
Rest Before Slicing
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing — this keeps it juicy and helps it hold together.
Notes
For extra-moist meatloaf, avoid overmixing and let it rest fully before cutting. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months.
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