This easy recipe for flavorful meatloaf is made with ground beef and topped off with a super simple tangy sauce. The leftovers are perfect for making a sandwich! Meatloaf is a classic and this recipe is delicious served with roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes.

Meatloaf is a classic, traditional recipe that people have been making and enjoying for a long time. Everybody has their go-to recipe that they make with similar ingredients, but each recipe has something that makes it unique. My version is a pretty basic meatloaf recipe, with a simple sauce that requires minimal effort yet is flavorful and moist! Keep reading to find out my method for the best meatloaf.

How to Make Meatloaf

Here is a brief overview of how this easy meatloaf recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Sauté the garlic and onion. This adds a great depth of flavor. Cook until tender, then remove from the pan.
2. Soak the bread. Place the bread slices in a bowl and cover with milk. Allow the soak. Read more about why we do this below.
3. Mix the meat mixture. Combine ground beef, bread mixture, onion mixture, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Add the eggs and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until everything is well combined. I like to use clean hands for this job, it is much easier than trying to use a large spoon.
4. Form into a loaf. Pour the meat mixture onto the prepared pan and use your hands to shape it into a loaf. Don’t pack it too much, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
5. Make the sauce. Combine the ingredients for the sauce and pour half the sauce over the meatloaf.
6. Bake the meatloaf. Bake for 40 minutes, then top with remaining sauce and continue baking for another 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soaking Bread For Meatloaf

The soaked bread really helps keep the meatloaf moist and bind everything together. Without the bread, the meatloaf would dry out in the oven. The bread is soaked in milk for just a few minutes, and then the whole mixture is added to the meatloaf ingredients for a great texture and moisture. Since we would be adding the milk and bread anyways, soaking it first doesn’t affect the cooking time or ingredients list.

Meatloaf Temperature and Cook Time

You will want to use a meat thermometer to make sure your meatloaf is cooked through. If it is overcooked, it will dry out. When the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160 F, you’ll know it’s done. It will take about an hour to cook in a 350 F oven. For the first 40 minutes, the meatloaf will bake with half the sauce. Then, you’ll add the remaining sauce and continue baking it for about 20 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through. I give a time frame for cooking, but it is best to depend on the internal temperature and use a meat thermometer.

Tips and Tricks

• Use ground turkey. If you want to make your meatloaf more lean or your family prefers the flavor of ground turkey, you can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey here.
• Skip the loaf pan. Using a baking sheet allows the drippings and extra liquid to run off and result in a nice crisp exterior.
• Let the meatloaf rest. Once you take the cooked meatloaf out of the oven, let it sit for about 10 minutes before cutting into it to allow the juices to settle.
• Make meatloaf sandwiches. My favorite way to eat leftovers of this recipe is to make meatloaf sandwiches. I highly recommend you try it! Thank me later.

Making Meatloaf Ahead of Time

To prepare this easy meatloaf ahead of time, follow the recipe up to the point of forming the meat mixture into a loaf and putting it on the baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in your refrigerator for up to a day before baking. When you are ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, add half of the sauce, and bake according to the recipe directions. The sauce can be made in advance by mixing the ingredients together, but I do recommend storing it in the refrigerator in a separate container from the meatloaf itself.

What to Serve with Meatloaf

I like to serve this easy meatloaf with a side of my oven roasted asparagus and The Best Mashed Potatoes. No really, they’re the best! It is also delicious with Instant Pot Easy Mac and Cheese.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave or oven until heated through. Always use your best judgment when reheating and eating leftovers.

How to Freeze Meatloaf

If you want to freeze your meatloaf before it is baked, form the meat mixture into a loaf. Wrap the loaf tightly with foil two times and put it in a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to bake it, be sure to use an instant-read meat thermometer to know when the inside of the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meatloaf that has been baked can be frozen as a whole loaf or in slices. Let it cool completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. If you want to freeze in slices, line the slices on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for an hour to flash-freeze the slices and prevent them from sticking together. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store in the freezer for up to three months.

When ready to eat frozen meatloaf, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, bake according to the recipe card (if it hasn’t been cooked yet), or if you froze cooked meatloaf, bake until it is heated through.

Other Simple Dinner Ideas

• Alice Springs Chicken {Outback Steakhouse Copycat}
• The Best Easy Lasagna
• One Pan Chicken with Apple Cider Sauce

If you make this classic meatloaf recipe or any of my other recipes, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Recipe from
CenterCutCook