Best Meatloaf We’ve Ever Made

This easy meatloaf recipe is the best I’ve ever made! It is incredibly flavorful and tender in the middle, and the homemade meatloaf glaze is out of this world.

I cannot wait until you try this amazing meatloaf recipe. Adam and I love it, and everyone we’ve shared the recipe with said that it is the best they’ve made.

With such high praise, we knew we needed to share this classic meatloaf with you. We serve thick slices of this easy homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes and a big salad. Leftovers are also fantastic, and they make the best meatloaf sandwiches.

Key Ingredients

• Ground beef: Use ground beef with at least 15% fat for the juiciest meatloaf. Look for 85/15 or 80/20 on the package when you’re at the store.
• Veggies: I cook mushrooms, onion, shallot, bell pepper, and garlic in butter before adding them to my meatloaf mixture. They add so much flavor (especially the mushrooms, which I also use for turkey meatloaf).
• Saltine crackers: I use saltine crackers instead of breadcrumbs. They are light and crispy, so they don’t weigh down our meatloaf.
• Milk: Helps to keep our meatloaf juicy and tenderizes the meat.
• Egg and egg yolk: Keeps the meatloaf tender and prevents it from drying out or falling apart.
• Mustard: I use whole-grain or Dijon mustard. It adds so much flavor.
• Ketchup: I like store-bought natural or homemade ketchup, which I use in the meatloaf mixture to make the sauce spread on top.
• Worcestershire: Seasons our meatloaf and makes it taste more savory.
• Maple syrup: Helps sweeten our meatloaf glaze. Thanks to the maple syrup, this is the tastiest glaze I’ve had with meatloaf.

How to Make the Best Meatloaf

To make meatloaf, you’ll start by cooking the veggies in some butter until soft and sweet. I give the mushrooms a head start and then stir in the onion and shallot. Then, when soft, I add the red bell pepper and garlic. The veggies take about 10 minutes, but cooking them this way guarantees the best texture for your meatloaf.

Once your veggies are cooked and cooled, mix the meatloaf ingredients in a big bowl. You might have been told by someone else not to overmix meatloaf, but I’m going against the grain on this one and telling you to really get in there and mix! You want the mixture to look well blended, which improves flavor AND texture (it’s why our baked meatloaf won’t crumble apart).

I bake my meatloaf on a baking sheet, not in a loaf pan. You can absolutely bake this meatloaf in a loaf pan if you’d like. I prefer the baking sheet for two reasons. First, a baking sheet means the easiest cleanup, which is enough for me, but the second reason I love using a baking sheet is that our delicious meatloaf glaze becomes more caramelized and sticky than when cooked in a loaf pan.

After forming my meatloaf mixture into a loaf on a lined baking sheet, I generously spread on my glaze. Speaking of the glaze, you will stir ketchup, maple syrup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce together to make it. It’s super simple and tastes so good once it’s baked.

I bake the meatloaf in a 375°F oven until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, which takes 45 to 55 minutes. Then, before slicing, I leave the meatloaf on the counter to rest for at least 10 minutes, which allows the juices to redistribute and the middle to firm up a bit.

How to Make Meatloaf Ahead of Time

Refrigerate formed, unbaked meatloaf for up to 24 hours. Make your meatloaf mixture and shape it onto your baking sheet (don’t add the glaze). Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You can also make the glaze, store it in an airtight container, and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, remove the meatloaf from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before spreading on the glaze. Then, bake as instructed in the recipe.

To freeze the uncooked meatloaf, form the meatloaf on a foil-lined baking sheet without adding the glaze. Freeze for 2 hours, wrap in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, add the glaze, and bake as directed.

My Favorite Meatloaf Sides

I love serving this meatloaf with classic sides like mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, and mac and cheese. Roasted veggies are amazing, too. I especially love roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and this roasted asparagus.

For quick vegetable sides, try sautéed green beans, this garlic butter zucchini, and our easy sautéed veggies. Or try a simple salad dressed with one of our favorite homemade dressings. Try homemade ranch, quick honey mustard dressing, or this easy Italian dressing.