Easy Meatloaf

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!

Easy Homemade Meatloaf

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, if you’d prefer.

This recipe is classic, well-seasoned, saucy, 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.

What Makes this Recipe so Good?

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 prepared ingredients come absolutely packed with flavor, and make pulling the recipe together super fast. You can use any kind of barbecue sauce that you enjoy! 

What You’ll Need

This meatloaf is full of flavor but easy to pull together. Let’s dive in and talk ingredients, shall we?

• Ground Beef: I like to make meatloaf with lean beef to reduce the amount of grease in the recipe. Whatever type you choose, you’ll need 2 pounds.
• 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 super simple recipe only needs to be mixed and baked! It’s a comforting, easy dish that’s perfect for a family meal.

• 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 the 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 stand for 5 minutes before serving.

How Long to Cook Meatloaf 

I have to talk about timing when it comes to a heavier bake like meatloaf. I’ve found success with a cook time of 50 minutes, but depending on your oven, your pan and your ingredients, that time may vary. The most important thing is the temperature. Even if you have to cook the meatloaf an extra ten, twenty, or even thirty minutes, be sure it reaches 165°F.

Tips for Success

Want to know more about making this recipe great? Follow these easy tips for making an amazing meatloaf dinner!

• 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

I like to serve this comforting main course with healthy, simple sides like these. I hope you’ll try one, or more. Either way, bon appetit!

• Homemade Bread: Make a loaf of this No Knead Dutch Oven Bread and serve it with butter (or vegan 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, mashed or smashed, I love potatoes any style. For something a little different, I turn to Hedgehog Roasted Potatoes. Serious yum!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• To store meatloaf, place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
• To reheat, bake the leftovers at 350°F until heated through, or slice and gently cook in a covered skillet until heated through.

Can I Freeze Extras?

• Yes! Wrap leftover meatloaf in two layers of plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Dinner Ideas

If you like this flavorful dinner idea, you’re sure to love the following recipes too!

• Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders
• Caprese Chicken Casserole
• Creamy Pesto Chicken