Nothing beats a slice of good old-fashioned meatloaf, delicately seasoned, tender, crowned with a glossy, caramelized ketchup glaze. This traditional recipe is made with basic ingredients and tons of flavor, offering a warm hug from the kitchen of Momma.

Why You’ll Love It:

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using affordable, everyday ingredients, this meatloaf is fortified with satisfying flavors that reward. The Worcestershire sauce, mustard and bit of hot sauce imbue the ground beef with depth and a little warmth, the ketchup glaze giving it a sweet and tangy finished.
Super Moist and Tender: A combination of milk-soaked bread, egg and seasonings keeps this meatloaf extremely moist, so it holds nicely together, without being dry.
Quick and Easy to Make: This easy recipe requires only mixing, shaping, and baking — no sophisticated techniques required, so it’s a standby for busy evenings.
Great for Using Leftover Meat: Meatloaf is a classic way to use up leftover meat; a leftover meatloaf sandwich is even better the next day! Meatloaf sandwiches, anyone?

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Key Ingredients:

Ground Beef: Ideally, buy ground beef with an 80-85% fat content for best texture and flavor. Lean beef (90 percent or more) can make for a dry loaf, and fattier beef (70 percent) might turn it greasy. The fat ratio is what gets you a juicy, tender meatloaf.

Milk: The milk helps moisten the bread, which holds the meatloaf together and contributes to its tenderness. You can go for whole, 2%, or even non-dairy milk for this step.

Bread: The bread helps keep the meatloaf moist and also helps it hold its shape. Tear soft or even a few days old bread into pieces, which will make it easier to incorporate into the batter. You can, if you prefer, use breadcrumbs (around ½ cup), but fresh bread leads to a softer, more unified meatloaf.

Worcestershire Sauce: The Worcestershire sauce provides a rich and tangy flavor that complements the beef. It is a classic meatloaf ingredient and a source of umami richness. If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, substitute soy sauce and a splash of vinegar instead.

Onion and Garlic Powder: For that grain-free texture, this recipe calls for onion powder, but finely chopped fresh onion works just as well and adds a bit more flavor and texture. Garlic powder gives you a little background note, without dominating the other flavors.

Ketchup: No classic meatloaf is complete without ketchup! It takes on a caramelized, slightly sweet and tangy glaze as it cooks that balances the savory beef and the spices. For experimentation, a touch of brown sugar, barbecue sauce or a little Dijon mustard added to the ketchup as a flavor enhancer works nicely.

All the ingredients of quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card below

Instructions:

Preparing the Meatloaf

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so that it is ready for baking.

Mix the Ingredients:

Mix together in a big mixing bowl:

1 lb ground beef

1/4 cup milk

1 large egg

1/2 cup bread pieces, torn (or breadcrumbs)

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp onion powder (or 1/4 c finely chopped onion)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dry ground mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

A sprinkle of hot sauce (optional, to taste)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix everything well with your hands or a big spoon. It will feel slightly wet, which is expected.

Shape the Meatloaf:

Option 1: For a traditional meatloaf shape, press the mixture into an ungreased loaf pan.

Option 2: Form the mixture into a loaf on a sheet pan. This technique allows excess fat to escape while baking.

Top with Ketchup:

Spread a thin, even layer of ketchup on top of the meatloaf. This glaze will caramelize as it cooks, contributing a tangy and subtly sweet flavor.

Baking the Meatloaf

Bake:

Put the meatloaf into the oven and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes.[Photograph: Vicky Wasik] The meatloaf is cooked when the inside temperature is 160°F (70°C).

Rest:

After you take the meatloaf out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute in the meatloaf, making it more flavorful and moist.

Serving Suggestions:

This Old-Fashioned Momma’s Meatloaf is great with classic sides for a homespun, comforting meal. Here are some ideas:

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing and a great vehicle for any extra ketchup glaze.

Roasted Vegetables: Roasting carrots, green beans or Brussels sprouts provides color, flavor and nutrition.

Buttered Corn or Peas: Some sweetness to go with the savory meatloaf.

Garden Salad: A crunchy green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a delightful contrast to the richness of the meatloaf.

Serve slices drizzled with additional ketchup or a splash of hot sauce, for the spice-hungry.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

Refrigerate: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To eat later, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or warm in the microwave.

Freezing: Meatloaf freezes well! Wrap individual slices or an entire cooked loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.

Make-Ahead: Prepare up to the meatloaf mixture pressed into the loaf pan, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. When you’re ready to bake, top with the ketchup and bake as directed.

Variations:

Here are some suggestions for personalizing this classic meatloaf recipe:

Cheesy Meatloaf: Stir in ½ cup of shredded cheese (such as cheddar, mozzarella or Monterey Jack) into the meat mixture for a cheesy surprise.

Vegetable-Loaded Meatloaf: Add finely chopped vegetables such bell peppers, grated carrots or mushrooms for flavor and nutrition.

BBQ Meatloaf: Replace the ketchup topping with barbecue sauce for a smoky, sweet glaze.

Herbs and spices variations: Experiment with other spices, such as Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika for some added flavor.

Conclusion:

Old-Fashioned Momma’s Meatloaf will always be the ultimate comfort food. Its classic flavors and moist, tender texture make it a favorite for family dinners and get-togethers. This simple recipe has nostalgia and homestyle good vibes written all over it, and the best part? It’s straightforward enough for even inexperienced cooks to conquer. Whether you stick with the original or give it your own spin, you’ll want to add this meatloaf to your recipe rotation.

Pair with mashed potatoes and green beans, as in a traditional meal, or use leftovers for a hearty meatloaf sandwich. Either way, you’ll be enjoying the warmth of a home-cooked classic. Enjoy!