Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (2024)

  • Ingredients
  • Beef Recipes
  • Ground Beef Recipes

3.5

(514)

21 Reviews

It's a comfort food favorite, and for good reason.

By

Martha Stewart

Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (1)

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire.

Editorial Guidelines

Updated on December 19, 2023

Servings:

8

A traditional meatloaf like this recipe is a time-honored dish. Our version uses three types of meat—ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal—resulting in a tender, flavorful meatloaf that’s best in class. Fresh breadcrumbs are another key to a moist meatloaf, so is chopping the vegetables small so they cook properly. The two-ingredient glaze brushed on top is made with ketchup and brown sugar—and packs plenty of sweet-and-sour punch for the perfect finishing touch to this meaty comfort food classic.

Classic Meatloaf

Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (2)

Tips for Meatloaf Success

  • Mix the meatloaf lightly; do not overmix as this can cause the meatloaf to be tough and dense.
  • Press the meat into the pan gently, do not compress it.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer, inserted into the middle, to check the doneness of the meatloaf. It should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Rest the meatloaf for 10 minutes before slicing—this allows time for the juices to redistribute and means the meatloaf will slice better.

Use your food processor to make quick work of mincing vegetables and turning day-old bread into fluffy breadcrumbs for meatloaf.

36 Old-Fashioned Recipes Just Like Grandma Used to Make

What to Serve With Meatloaf

Mashed potatoes are a must-make when you're serving meatloaf. We like to round out the plate with one or two colorful vegetables. Our top picks are:

  • Boiled or roasted asparagus
  • Peas (we use frozen) for Minted Peas
  • Carrots, like easy Glazed Carrots
  • Broccoli, such as Simple Steamed Broccoli
  • Green beans, try Quick-Cooked Green Beans With Lemon

Ingredients

  • 3 thick slices white bread, torn into large pieces

  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 1 celery stalk, chopped

  • 1 medium carrot, chopped

  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley

  • 12 ounces ground beef chuck (90 percent lean), preferably pasture-raised

  • 12 ounces ground pork, preferably pasture-raised

  • 12 ounces ground veal, preferably milk-fed

  • 1 large egg

  • ¾ cup ketchup, divided

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven and make breadcrumbs:

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Pulse bread in a food processor until finely ground. (You should have about 2 1/2 cups breadcrumbs.) Transfer to a medium bowl.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (4)

  2. Pulse vegetables in food processor:

    Pulse garlic, onion, celery, carrot, and parsley in food processor until finely chopped. Add to breadcrumbs.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (5)

  3. Add meats, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, and mix by hand:

    Add meats, egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix together using your hands.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (6)

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (7)

  4. Place meatloaf mixture in pan:

    Transfer mixture to a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (8)

  5. Mix ketchup and sugar and brush on meat:

    Stir together remaining 1/2 cup ketchup and the brown sugar until smooth; brush onto meat.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (9)

  6. Bake:

    Set pan on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 160°F, about 1 hour 20 minutes.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (10)

    Let cool slightly before serving.

    Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (11)

    Storing Leftovers

    Tightly wrap any cooled leftover meatloaf in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for three to four days.

    Freezing

    To freeze meatloaf, wrap it in at least one layer of plastic wrap followed by at least one layer of foil. Place the double-wrapped meatloaf in a zip-top freezer bag labeled with the date. Store meatloaf in the freezer for three to four months.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to cook meatloaf?

    How long a meatloaf takes to cook depends on the size of the loaf, whether it is baked in a loaf pan or freeform on a baking sheet, and what temperature the oven is set to. Our classic meatloaf uses 2 1/4 pounds of meat, is cooked in a loaf pan at 375 degrees, and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to bake.


    Should you bake meatloaf covered or uncovered?

    We bake our meatloaf uncovered. If the top of the meatloaf is getting too dark before the meatloaf has finished cooking, we cover it with foil and continue baking.


    Is meatloaf better on a sheet pan or loaf pan?

    Whether meatloaf cooked in a loaf pan or on a sheet pan is better is a matter of personal taste. A meatloaf cooked on a sheet pan will have an all-around caramelized crust because more of its surface is exposed (and brushed with glaze).


    Other Meatloaf Recipes to Try:

    • Test Kitchen's Favorite All-Beef Meatloaf
    • Mrs Kostyra's Meatloaf
    • Chipotle-Glazed Meatloaf With Sweet Potatoes
    • Simple Turkey Meatloaf
    • Meatloaf Cake
    • Mr. John's Meatloaf

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, April 2010

Updated by

Victoria Spencer

Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (12)

Victoria Spencer

Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

Our Classic Meatloaf Is a Comfort Food Favorite (2024)

FAQs

Why is meatloaf so popular? ›

Television and Advertising: The sudden popularity of television allowed for the spread of recipes and cooking tips to a wider audience. Cooking shows and advertisem*nts often featured meatloaf, securing its position as an instant classic. Versatility: Meatloaf's versatility played a significant role in its popularity.

When was meatloaf food most popular? ›

In the 1940s meatloaf was an emblem of wartime ingenuity; this was the era of Penny Prudence's “Vitality Loaf,” made with beef, pork and liver. The Culinary Arts Institute published a recipe for Savory Meat Loaf that called for beef, vegetable soup and cereal. By the 1950s, meatloaf was here to stay.

What goes well with meatloaf for dinner? ›

Try our potato rolls, garlic mashed potatoes, or chili oil smashed potatoes. Craving rice or pasta? Try our stovetop mac & cheese, our mushroom risotto, our Italian pasta salad, or our saffron rice. They're particularly great if you're serving meatloaf to a big crowd.

What do Americans eat with meatloaf? ›

The most common recipe nowadays consists of ground beef, carrots, sausages, boiled eggs and breadcrumbs, cooked in the oven and normally served with a side-dish of mashed potatoes or rice. The Cuban version of meatloaf is called pulpeta.

Is meatloaf a Great Depression food? ›

Now we've circled back to the Depression when meatloaf was just a great way to stretch perishable foods, and then a wartime emblem and more. Though around this time is when we are seeing the final ingredient that is a large part of modern American meatloaf. Ketchup.

What is a fun fact about meatloaf? ›

Meatloaf's roots trace back to ancient civilizations, where it was created as a way to use leftover meat and meat scraps, making it a practical and economical dish. Meatloaf gained popularity in the United States during the Great Depression, as it provided an affordable and hearty meal for families during tough times.

What do you put in meatloaf to keep it from falling apart? ›

Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs.

Is meatloaf a healthy meal? ›

Meatloaf is undoubtedly delicious, but it's not necessarily known for being healthy. In fact, when made using 80% lean ground beef, one pound of meatloaf contains roughly 1,152 calories. But when you cut that down to a serving size of about 4 ounces, it's 350 calories, which seems a lot more reasonable.

What is meatloaf slang for? ›

Urban Dictionary. Don't let your [meat loaf]. A sexual expression one guy says to another guy or group of guys when he is leaving. ( referring to his junk) The response by the other guy is usually something like: Don't let your bag drag.

What is the binder in meatloaf? ›

The best binder for meatloaf is something you probably already have in your kitchen, bread!

What meat is in Costco meatloaf? ›

Costco's meatloaf and potatoes earns its praise

As Reddit user u/livin801 (and purported Costco worker) explains, "We cook the ground beef every day. [We] buy directly from our meat department that grinds it fresh multiple times a day. We add all fresh ingredients, eggs, diced onion, and seasoning ...

How did meatloaf become famous? ›

In 1977, he and lyricist Jim Steinman released an operatic rock album called "Bat Out Of Hell"; the record was huge and has sold 50,000,000 copies worldwide and is tied with AC/DC for the 2nd best selling record of all time.

What is the appeal of meatloaf? ›

One of the great things about meatloaf is its versatility — it's a blank canvas, inviting you to flex your imagination and experiment with different spices, herbs, and seasonings.

Why is meatloaf so underrated? ›

There are a few reasons for this. The simplest is that people often botch meatloaf up, mainly by trying too hard to make it something other than a big loaf of meat with starchy fillers and flavoring ingredients. To me, the most discouraging reason could be our deep-seated societal aversion to things that are good.

Is meatloaf good or bad for you? ›

Meatloaf, traditionally made with ground beef or a mix of ground beef, pork and veal, is often too high in fat and sodium to be considered healthy.

Top Articles
Enchanting Guide for Dragonflight
Havoc Demon Hunter DPS Gems, Enchants, and Consumables - The War Within (11.0.2)
Spasa Parish
Rentals for rent in Maastricht
159R Bus Schedule Pdf
Sallisaw Bin Store
Black Adam Showtimes Near Maya Cinemas Delano
Espn Transfer Portal Basketball
Pollen Levels Richmond
11 Best Sites Like The Chive For Funny Pictures and Memes
Things to do in Wichita Falls on weekends 12-15 September
Craigslist Pets Huntsville Alabama
Paulette Goddard | American Actress, Modern Times, Charlie Chaplin
Red Dead Redemption 2 Legendary Fish Locations Guide (“A Fisher of Fish”)
What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food?
R/Skinwalker
Rugged Gentleman Barber Shop Martinsburg Wv
Jennifer Lenzini Leaving Ktiv
Justified - Streams, Episodenguide und News zur Serie
Epay. Medstarhealth.org
Olde Kegg Bar & Grill Portage Menu
Cubilabras
Half Inning In Which The Home Team Bats Crossword
Amazing Lash Bay Colony
Juego Friv Poki
Dirt Devil Ud70181 Parts Diagram
Truist Bank Open Saturday
Water Leaks in Your Car When It Rains? Common Causes & Fixes
What’s Closing at Disney World? A Complete Guide
New from Simply So Good - Cherry Apricot Slab Pie
Drys Pharmacy
Ohio State Football Wiki
Find Words Containing Specific Letters | WordFinder®
FirstLight Power to Acquire Leading Canadian Renewable Operator and Developer Hydromega Services Inc. - FirstLight
Webmail.unt.edu
2024-25 ITH Season Preview: USC Trojans
Metro By T Mobile Sign In
Restored Republic December 1 2022
12 30 Pacific Time
Jami Lafay Gofundme
Greenbrier Bunker Tour Coupon
No Compromise in Maneuverability and Effectiveness
Black Adam Showtimes Near Cinemark Texarkana 14
Ice Hockey Dboard
Über 60 Prozent Rabatt auf E-Bikes: Aldi reduziert sämtliche Pedelecs stark im Preis - nur noch für kurze Zeit
Wie blocke ich einen Bot aus Boardman/USA - sellerforum.de
Infinity Pool Showtimes Near Maya Cinemas Bakersfield
Dermpathdiagnostics Com Pay Invoice
How To Use Price Chopper Points At Quiktrip
Maria Butina Bikini
Busted Newspaper Zapata Tx
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6326

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.