Homemade meatloaf is a classic comfort food that brings a warm, nostalgic feeling to the dinner table. Often passed down through generations, each family seems to have its own version, whether it’s packed with onions, smothered in ketchup glaze, or stuffed with cheese. At its core, meatloaf is a simple mix of ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings, baked into a loaf shape. But its simplicity leaves plenty of room for creativity and personal flair.
What makes homemade meatloaf so beloved is its versatility. You can use different kinds of meat like beef, pork, turkey, or even a combination to suit your taste or dietary needs. Add-ins like sautéed vegetables, herbs, and spices let you customize the flavor profile, while toppings like barbecue sauce, tomato paste, or a brown gravy give it that perfect finishing touch. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftovers and pantry staples.
Meatloaf also shines when it comes to feeding a family or meal prepping. It’s hearty, filling, and easy to slice for sandwiches the next day. Served with mashed potatoes, green beans, or a crisp salad, it creates a balanced and satisfying meal. Whether you stick to a tried-and-true recipe or experiment with new ingredients, homemade meatloaf is one of those dishes that always feels like home.
Old Fashoned Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
- 1 medium sized bowl
- 1 large bowl
- 1 9" x 5" loaf pan
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 stalk Celery finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Large eggs
- ½ Cup Whole milk
- ½ tsp Unflavored powdered gelatin
- 1½ lb Ground Beef (80% lean) ground beef
- ½ lb Ground pork
- ½ Cup ground Saltines (from about 3/4 sleeve)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Cup Ketchup
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 Chopped fresh thyme, for serving garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium skillet over medium high-heat, melt butter. Cook onions and celery, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Mix in mustard, soy sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs to combine, then stir in milk. Sprinkle gelatin over and let sit 5 minutes.
- Add beef, pork, Saltines, and onion mixture; season with salt and pepper. Using your hands or a rubber spatula, mix until meat starts to feel tacky.
- In a small bowl, stir ketchup and brown sugar until combined.
- Spoon half of the meat mixture into a 9" x 5" loaf pan, making sure there are no air pockets. Spread half of ketchup mixture on top. Cover with remaining meat mixture. Spread top with remaining ketchup mixture.
- Bake meatloaf until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°, 40 to 50 minutes.
- Turn on broiler, if desired. Broil, watching closely, until top browns in spots, 2 to 3 minutes
- Let sit 15 minutes. Carefully drain excess fat and remove loaf from pan with a spatula. Top with thyme (if using).
- Plate with mash potatoes and string beans
- Oh it's so good
