There’s something comforting about the aroma of a warm, hearty meatloaf baking away in the oven. This Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe is a timeless dish that brings cozy, satisfying vibes to your table with its tender texture and a sweet, tangy glaze that truly makes it shine.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has been a longtime favorite in my house, and for good reason. It’s approachable, forgiving, and a perfect weekday dinner hero. What I love most is the glaze — it adds a beautiful sheen and a burst of flavor without any extra fuss.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll find everything you need in your pantry to make a delicious dinner.
- Moist and Tender: The combination of oats and milk keeps the meatloaf juicy and prevents it from drying out.
- Ultimate Glaze: A quick mix of ketchup, Worcestershire, and sugar gives the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- Family Friendly: This recipe gets raves from picky eaters and grown-ups alike, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe plays a key role in flavor, texture, and moisture. I always recommend using fresh garlic and parsley for the best aroma, and ground beef with a bit of fat content to keep things juicy.
- Ground beef: Choose 80/20 for the ideal balance of flavor and moisture.
- Small onion (finely diced): Adds subtle sweetness and texture without overpowering.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Fresh always beats pre-minced—your kitchen will smell amazing.
- Eggs: They bind everything together, so your meatloaf holds its shape while baking.
- Ketchup: Two roles here—one inside the mix for flavor and one in the glaze for that signature tang.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami depth that turns simple beef into comfort food gold.
- Quick-cooking oats: A great binder that keeps things light but firm, plus it soaks up juices.
- Milk: Moistens the oats and keeps the meatloaf tender.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens the flavor and adds a touch of color.
- Italian seasoning: Classic herbs that complement the meat without stealing the show.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning—never skip these!
- Coconut sugar or brown sugar (for glaze): Sweetness in the glaze that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Feel free to swap in herbs you love or add a bit of heat if you like a kick. I often double the glaze when I want extra saucy slices!
- Variation: I tried adding finely diced bell peppers and mushrooms once, which gave more texture and a subtle earthiness—my family loved it!
- Gluten-free option: Swap oats for gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers.
- Spicy twist: A dash of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper amps up the flavor for a little heat.
- Lean meat: You can swap half the ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter version, just watch the cooking time.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Combine all your ingredients gently
Start by gathering everything into a large bowl. I like to add the ground beef, finely diced onion, minced garlic, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, oats, milk, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then, get your hands in there and mix everything just until combined—over-mixing can make the meatloaf tough, so be gentle!
Step 2: Shape the loaf on a baking sheet or pan
On a rimmed baking sheet or casserole pan, pat the mixture into a neat loaf shape, around 9x5 inches. Alternatively, you can press it into a loaf pan for a more uniform shape. Just don’t pack it too tight; you want the texture to stay nice and tender.
Step 3: Brush on the irresistible glaze
In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and coconut sugar or brown sugar. I love brushing it generously over the top. This glaze caramelizes beautifully while the meatloaf cooks, giving you that classic shiny and flavorful finish we all look forward to.
Step 4: Bake until perfectly cooked
Pop the meatloaf in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and let it cook for about 50 to 60 minutes. The key here is internal temperature — use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 160°F (70°C). That ensures it’s safe and moist without drying out.
Step 5: Rest, slice, and enjoy!
Once out of the oven, give it a good 10 minutes to rest. This little pause helps the juices redistribute, so every slice stays tender and juicy. Then slice it up and serve with your favorite sides.
Top Tip
Years of making meatloaf taught me that moisture and seasoning balance are everything here. You’ll notice the oats soak up extra liquid while the egg binds it, delivering that perfect fork-tender texture every time.
- Don’t over-mix: Mixing too vigorously can make the meatloaf dense instead of tender.
- Use a thermometer: It’s the only foolproof way to make sure your meatloaf is cooked through without drying out.
- Rest before slicing: Patience here pays off with juicier slices that hold together nicely.
- Extra glaze is your friend: I sometimes double the glaze ingredients for a saucier finish that my family always asks for seconds on.
How to Serve Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little fresh parsley on top before serving—it adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note that brightens the plate. Sometimes, a few thinly sliced green onions work great too, especially if you want a mild onion bite that's not overpowering.
Side Dishes
Classic mashed potatoes are my go-to side with this meatloaf, especially gravy-smothered for comfort overload. Roasted green beans or garlic buttered peas round out the meal and keep things balanced. For something a bit different, creamy polenta or baked sweet potatoes work beautifully too.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or dinner parties, I’ve molded the meatloaf mixture into mini “loaves” or even muffins to serve bite-sized portions. It’s fun, looks festive, and is perfect if you want to impress without fussing. You can also drizzle additional glaze decoratively for a great finishing touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge and it stays great for up to 3 days. When reheating, I recommend wrapping slices in foil and warming them gently to keep the moisture locked in.
Freezing
This Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe freezes beautifully! I slice leftovers first then layer them with parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. You can thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat without losing that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Reheating
To reheat, I usually cover slices with foil and warm them at 325°F (160°C) for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. Using the oven instead of the microwave helps maintain texture and keeps the glaze nicely caramelized instead of soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture a day ahead, shape it, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready, brush on the glaze and bake as directed. It also freezes well if you want to make it weeks in advance.
The secret is not to overwork your meat mixture and to use binders like quick-cooking oats combined with some milk. Also, using ground beef with a bit of fat (around 20%) ensures the meatloaf stays moist during baking.
Yes, breadcrumbs can be swapped in for oats in this recipe. Make sure they’re plain and not seasoned so the flavors stay balanced. Adjust the liquid slightly if the mixture feels too dry.
The most reliable method is to use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature. It should reach 160°F (70°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked but still juicy. Avoid relying solely on bake time as ovens vary.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe is one I keep coming back to time and again — it’s like a warm hug on a plate. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, it delivers comfort, flavor, and that special homemade touch everyone appreciates. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen, too!
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Classic Meatloaf with Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Classic Meatloaf recipe is tender, moist, and packed with flavor. It combines ground beef with oats, fresh herbs, and a savory glaze made from ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and coconut sugar. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this meatloaf is easy to prepare and bakes to juicy perfection.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion (finely diced, about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅔ cup quick-cooking oats
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, finely diced onion, minced garlic, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, quick-cooking oats, milk, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Using your hands, gently mix the ingredients together until well combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Form a loaf. On a rimmed baking sheet or a casserole pan, shape the meat mixture into a loaf approximately 9x5 inches in size. Alternatively, press the mixture into a loaf pan for a more uniform shape.
- Coat with the glaze. In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and coconut sugar or brown sugar. Brush this mixture evenly over the top of the meatloaf to create a flavorful glaze.
- Cook. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the meatloaf in the oven and bake for 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Slice and serve. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. This resting time helps the juices redistribute, ensuring moist slices. Then, slice the meatloaf and serve as desired.
Notes
- Use quick-cooking oats as a binder instead of breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to prevent a dense, tough meatloaf.
- Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing helps keep it moist and prevents it from falling apart.
- You can swap ground beef with ground turkey or a mix of beef and pork for different flavors.
- The glaze adds a sweet and tangy flavor, but you can adjust the sugar amount to suit your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 626 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg
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