Krista Gambacorta
June 21, 2026
Difficulty Level: easy
15 min Prep
1 hr 15 min Cook
1 hr 30 min Total
8 Servings
When it comes to classic American recipes, meatloaf is up there with the most common and most popular, at least among meat eaters. The mix of ground beef, seasoning, and its thick and sticky ketchup glaze keeps it popular with young and old alike.
This meatloaf recipe delivers a classic glaze that’s super easy to make and just needs ketchup, white vinegar, and brown sugar to make it sticky, sweet, and tangy. The addition of garlic and onion powder adds a depth to its flavor that complements the meatloaf perfectly. Check out the ingredients and cooking steps below.
Classic Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients
- 2 pounds of ground beef, at least 85% lean
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons of ketchup (not for the glaze)
- 3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3/4 cup of ketchup, for the glaze
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
Classic Meatloaf Recipe Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Cook for 7 minutes, until soft and lightly golden.
- In a large bowl, add the ground beef, cooked onion, eggs, minced garlic, ketchup, parsley, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
- Mix gently until everything is just combined. Do not overmix, or the meatloaf can become very dense.
- Place the mixture on the baking sheet. Shape it into a loaf about 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 3 inches tall.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
- While it bakes, mix the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. This includes the ketchup for glazing, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Spread the glaze over the meatloaf and return it to the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
Calories: 340cal
Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 21g
Cholesterol: 150mg
Sodium: 712mg