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
Serve this tasty meatloaf with mashed potatoes. When you feel the need for comfort food, meatloaf does the trick.
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
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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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