Momma’s Best Meatloaf recipe is full of flavor and is moist and scrumptious! It’s simple to make and comes out perfect every time!
MOMMA’S BEST MEATLOAF RECIPE
I think most folks at some point in their lives have had either great experiences with meatloaf or really bad ones. Maybe the meatloaf was a tad dry or maybe it tasted like a lump of beef and nothing else. Don’t worry, I am about to change your mind about any of your bad meatloaf experiences! This meatloaf recipe is not only delicious and flavorful, it is most definitely not dry!
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST MEATLOAF:
- Use some meat that has fat. This is not the place for lean beef. Lean beef is more expensive and it can be dry because there is not much fat.
- I would not recommend ground turkey for this recipe.
- This meatloaf will seem a bit “wet” as you form it. Don’t worry that is normal – I promise it will turn out great!
- I like the cubed breadslices for this but bread crumbs (about 1/2 cup) can be substituted for the bread slices.
- Want to fancy it up a bit? Add a little balsamic vinegar to the ketchup before topping the meatloaf.
- This can be made in a loaf pan (with the same cooking time.) Cooking it on a sheet pan will help some of the fat spread away from the meat.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
ground beef (80/20 works good)
milk
egg
sliced bread
Worcestershire sauce
onion powder
salt
salt
dry ground mustard
black pepper
hot sauce (optional)
garlic powder
ketchup
HOW TO MAKE MOMMA’S BEST MEATLOAF:
Heat oven to 350F degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (except ketchup.)
Don’t be afraid to get in there with your hands – they work best.
Spread mixture into an ungreased loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a sheet pan.
Spread ketchup on top of meatloaf.
Cook for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes (or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.) 
Let stand for 5 minutes and serve.
Enjoy
Originally published: August 2011
Updated & republished: December 2019
MOMMA'S BEST MEATLOAF
Momma's Best Meatloaf recipe is full of flavor and is moist and scrumptious! It's simple to make and comes out perfect every time!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 428kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 slices bread torn up into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tablespoon onion powder or 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dry ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup ketchup
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (except ketchup).
- Spread mixture into an ungreased loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a sheet pan.
- Spread ketchup on top of meatloaf.
- Cook for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes (or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees).
- Let stand for 5 minutes and serve
Video
Notes
This can be made in a loaf pan with the same cooking time.
Nutrition
Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 832mg | Potassium: 548mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 3.5mg
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Correction to my earlier comments. Mom used Heinz bottled Chili Sauce (not cocktail sauce.)
Was that to replace the ketchup?
Mom never did use Ketchup, just the sauce. That was mixed right into the bread chunks along with the eggs, etc, before the meat. Bread was torn apart rather than cut; size about the top section of the thumb.
Yes. I think it had little bits of things in it for more texture and flavor than ketchup.
I hated meatloaf when I was a kid. It was always dry and bland. Your recipe is the opposite, always moist and flavorful. Thanks for a great recipe that has become a staple in our house!
Woo hoo!! Thank you, thank you! I am determined to change the minds of meatloaf haters. LOL!
Very delicious!!
Love hearing that! Thank you so much Kim!
This is a great recipe.. Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks so much Rochelle!
this’s what i’m talkin’ about!
YUM.
Thank You, Kindly 🙂
if you want the best sauce for meatloaf chili sauce dry mustard and brown sugar…
Sounds good to me!
Kids and husband loved it!
Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know Molly! So happy to hear that!!
I’m 71 and this is the very best meatloaf I have ever had!