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!
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 ½ 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.
- I converted this same recipe for the INSTANT POT too!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
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.
CRAVING MORE? GIVE THESE RECIPES A TRY!
INSTANT POT MEATLOAF AND POTATOES
CROCK POT MEATLOAF
MEATLOAF MELTS
MOZZARELLA STUFFED BBQ MEATLOAF
THE BEST CROCK POT CHILI
CROCK POT MEATLOAF MEATBALLS
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!
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Servings: 4
Calories: 428kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 slices bread torn up into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tablespoon onion powder or ½ 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 350F 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 evenly 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
Nutritional Disclaimer
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Originally published: August 2011
Updated & republished: December 2019
I, too, grew up with dry meat loaf. I thought it bland, and could take or leave it (depending on whether or not I was starving!) Not till my 30's or so did I taste a meat loaf I fell in love with! My best friend's mother made the Most Delicious Meat Loaf Ever! Got her recipe, made it & my husband loved it, too! Present day, 2020, lost the recipe (my housekeeping sucks) and my friend is fighting cancer as well as her dog being sick. I just can't bring myself to ask her to read it to me over the phone or to copy it down & send it to me. BUT, I do remember it was a mixture of beef and pork, had finely minced green pepper, grated onion and shredded carrots, then she also mixed ketchup & brown sugar, then poured that down the center of the top of the meat loaf. Your recipe is the best one out there!
Sharon M. 8/30/2020
One of the best and easiest meatloaf
recipes I ever made! I’m reading that many people have trouble slicing the meatloaf without it falling apart. I have the answer!! A few years ago I came across a “Meatloaf Pan” as seen on TV.
I found it in the local commercial pharmacy! (They often sell these type of items, and there’s no shipping!!! It’s the best pan ever. It includes a non-stick loaf pan, and an insert that has holes on the bottom to allow the grease from the meat to go through. After baking, lift
the insert by both side handles and slide it right on a platter!! Slice away!!
My entire family loved this meatloaf, I can finally say I found a really good meatloaf recipe we all loved! I used 3 slices of regular light honey sandwich bread since I didn’t have any white bread. I also put 2 slices of bread one in front of the other under the meatloaf before I baked it. It was a hit! Enjoy!
I’m finally done searching meatloaf recipes, yeah!
Enjoy