Best Meatloaf We’ve Ever Made

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

I’m so excited for you to try this meatloaf. Our family makes it often, and everyone we’ve shared it with has said it’s the best meatloaf recipe they’ve tried. With reviews like that, we knew we needed to share the recipes asap!

We usually serve thick slices of this homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes and a simple salad. The leftovers are fantastic, too, and as a bonus, they make the best meatloaf sandwiches. This recipe calls for ground beef, but if you prefer ground turkey, try our turkey meatloaf recipe (it’s just as delicious).

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. This tip applies to homemade meatballs, too!
• 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 when making turkey meatloaf).
• Saltine Crackers: I use saltine crackers instead of breadcrumbs. They are light and crispy, so they don’t weigh down our meatloaf. Panko breadcrumbs are a good substitute.
• Milk: This adds some flavor, but it also helps tenderize the meat for that perfect, not too crumbly texture.
• Egg and Egg Yolk: The egg binds the mixture together, and the extra yolk keeps it tender and moist, so the meat won’t dry out or fall apart. We also use this combo when making our favorite chicken burgers.
• Mustard: Use whole-grain or Dijon mustard. It adds so much flavor.
• Ketchup: Store-bought natural ketchup or homemade ketchup works great. You will use it to make the meatloaf mixture and for the classic glaze on top.
• Worcestershire: A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds a rich savory flavor that makes the beef taste more meaty and rich.
• Maple Syrup: This is what makes the meatloaf glaze so special. We prefer it to brown sugar since it adds a delicate, smoky sweetness that works so well in this recipe. I think it creates the most delicious meatloaf glaze out there!

Find the full recipe with measurements below.

How to Make the Best Meatloaf

Tip 1: Cook the vegetables in butter. 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 (way better than adding raw onions/veggies).

Tip 2: Mix the meatloaf ingredients. 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 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).

Tip 3: Skip the loaf pan. 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. Second, our delicious meatloaf glaze caramelizes and sticks more when cooked on a baking sheet than when cooked in a loaf pan.

Tip 4: Add the glaze. After forming my meatloaf mixture into a loaf on a lined baking sheet, I generously spread on my glaze, which comes together quickly in a small bow. Simply stir ketchup, maple syrup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce together to make it. It’s super simple and tastes so good once it’s baked.

Tip 5: Bake the meatloaf. I bake my 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.

My Favorite Meatloaf Sides

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

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

More Ground Beef Recipes

• Easy Weeknight Spaghetti
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Epic Taco Salad
• Juicy Burgers
• Smash Burgers
• Italian Meatballs with the best sauce