Basic Meatloaf your family will love

Last Updated on July 1, 2022 by Cheryl Moreo

Meatloaf made right is comfort food at it’s best. My mother made her basic meatloaf with fresh crumbled up bread. I have always used either old fashioned oats or bread crumbs. Whichever method you choose, your family will love your meatloaf.

A meatloaf sandwich makes a convenient lunchbox treat.

Equipment

13″x9″ baking pan

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram leaves
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chili sauce or catsup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats or 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

Topping

If you like a sweet or tangy topping on your meatloaf, drizzle with a mixture of ketchup/brown sugar or top with sauce like one of Sweet Baby Ray’s.

Tips

• Don’t over mix the hamburger mixture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Don’t be afraid of the chili sauce. It will surprise you!
• Using a 13’x9″ baking pan is a trick my mother used. Baking a meatloaf in a loaf pan, lets it drown in grease. A meatloaf needs room, so it doesn’t steam. A baking pan results in a more evenly cooked meatloaf.–My opinion.
• Shape the meat mixture into a rectangle about 8″ long and 5″ wide. Usually, ends of an inch or two high.
• Do not overcook. Test for doneness with a meat thermometer (170 degrees.)

Basic Meatloaf

Cheryl

Serve this tasty meatloaf with mashed potatoes. When you feel the need for comfort food, meatloaf does the trick.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Equipment

13" x 9" pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram leaves
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chili sauce or catsup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats or 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat, and add onion, garlic, basil, marjoram, salt, and pepper.  Stir and cook the mixture until the onions are softened-about 3 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat egg, stir in onion mixture, chili sauce or catsup, Worcestershire sauce, and parsley.
• Crumble beef into the bowl and add in the rolled oats or bread crumbs.  Gently mix until evenly combined.
• Place the mixture into a 13"x9" pan and shape into a loaf. Shape the meat mixture into a rectangle about 8" long and 5" wide. Usually, ends of an inch or two high.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf registers 170 degrees F.
• Let stand for 5 minutes.  Drain pan juices, turn out onto a plate and cut into thick slices.

Notes

Drizzle either ketchup/brown sugar or BBQ sauce on top of the meatloaf before it bakes for a tasty bite.

Variation:  Use only 1 pound of ground beef and add 1/2 pound mild Italian Sweet Sausage.

Keyword comfort food, ground beef, meatloaf

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