Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Name: Easy Meatloaf Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef; ½ cup plain breadcrumbs; ½ cup diced onion; 1 large egg, (lightly beaten); 1 cup barbecue sauce, (divided); 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 3 tablespoons Italian Seasoning; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; chopped fresh parsley, (for garnish)

Written by Katerina

Published Jun 15, 2021

Updated Mar 20, 2024

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My Easy Meatloaf is a kid-friendly classic, easy to pull together and sure to be a hit. You’ll love this sweet, savory, saucy, and perfectly seasoned baked meatloaf!

Meatloaf Covered in Barbecue Sauce on a White Serving Platter

Meatloaf is a great recipe for a comfy-cozy dinner that fills you up and makes you feel good. I like it on Sunday nights, as a kind of comfort food farewell to the weekend, but it’s also easy enough to put together on a weeknight. This recipe is classic, well-seasoned, saucy meatloaf, perfect for a wholesome meal, and delicious in sandwiches the next day! You can serve it with mashed potatoes and peas for a perfectly traditional American dinner, or check out some of my nifty serving suggestions below.

A Fork Digging Into a Slice of Meatloaf on a Plate with Potatoes and Veggies

Why You’ll Love This Meatloaf Recipe

The unique thing about this recipe is that we are using barbecue sauce in place of the more standard ketchup and boosting the flavor even more with Italian seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. These ingredients come absolutely packed with flavor and make putting the recipe together super fast. You can use any kind of barbecue sauce that you enjoy!

Ingredients For Meatloaf

Ground Beef: I make meatloaf with lean beef to reduce the amount of grease in the recipe.
Breadcrumbs: Have ready ½ cup of breadcrumbs. You could also use crushed crackers.
Onion: Dice up half a cup of onion. I used a white onion, but yellow, sweet and red onions will also work.
Egg: Lightly beat 1 large egg.
Garlic: Mince 1 tablespoon of garlic; about 3 cloves.
Italian Seasoning: You’ll need 3 tablespoons of your favorite Italian Seasoning blend.
Salt & Pepper: I use one teaspoon each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Barbecue Sauce: You’ll use half a cup of prepared barbecue sauce in the meatloaf, and half a cup on top.
Worcestershire Sauce: I used 2 tablespoons of this versatile sauce to add plenty of savory flavor.
Fresh Parsley: For garnish.

How to Make Meatloaf

This straightforward recipe only needs to be mixed and baked! It’s a comforting, easy dish that’s perfect for a family meal.

A Bowl of the Meatloaf Mixture Beside a Glass Pan on a Gray Surface

A Spatula Spreading the Meatloaf Mixture Into a Foil-Lined Pan

Prep Oven & Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with foil and lightly grease both the pan and the foil (leave plenty of foil overlapping the sides of the pan to make it easier to remove the meatloaf after cooking).
Make Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, ½ cup of barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Mix until well combined, but do not overmix, or the meatloaf will be tough.
Shape Loaf: Shape the beef mixture into a loaf in the prepared pan. Spread the remaining barbecue sauce over the top.
Bake: Bake the meatloaf for 50 minutes or until the internal temperature registers at 165°F. Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before serving.

How Long to Cook Meatloaf

When cooking meatloaf, I have found success with a cooking time of 50 minutes, but depending on your oven, pan, and ingredients, that time may vary. The most important thing is the temperature. Even if you have to cook the meatloaf for an extra ten or twenty minutes, just make sure that the internal temp reaches 165°F.

A Plate Full of Meatloaf with One Slice Removed

Tips for Success

Avoid Overmixing: To keep your meatloaf tender, be careful to mix the ingredients until just combined. You can stir together all of the ingredients except the beef first, and then add the beef and stir until combined to reduce the amount of mixing.
Sauté the Onions: If you have extra time, consider letting the diced onion caramelize before making the meatloaf! It adds an extra dimension of sweet and savory flavor. You can also grate the raw onion instead of dicing.
Mini Meatloaves: You can bake this recipe in mini loaf pans or a muffin tin for individualized servings.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade Bread: Make a loaf of this No Knead Dutch Oven Bread and serve it with butter. Bonus: you can make tasty meatloaf sandwiches later!
Roasted Vegetables: You can’t go wrong with perfectly caramelized roasted veggies! Try my Easy Roasted Vegetables recipe and see for yourself.
Potatoes: Baked, smashed, mashed potatoes, I love them in any style. For something a little different, I turn to Hedgehog Roasted Potatoes.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

To store meatloaf, place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat, bake the leftovers at 350°F until heated through, or slice and gently cook in a covered skillet until heated through.

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3.80 from 5 votes