The Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe with BBQ Glaze
Classic Meatloaf recipe with a sweet and tangy bbq glaze. This Perfect Meatloaf is tender, flavorful, and better than you remember from childhood, give it a try tonight!
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Growing up as a child of the 70’s, meatloaf was a staple on our family dinner table. I grew up eating this dinner, and to this day I still serve this classic meal to my family.
Only, now I’ve changed up the flavor.
Or I should say, I’ve added MORE flavor.
I’ve taken the traditional meat loaf recipe of childhood and added a tangy glaze of homemade bbq sauce. It’s so good!
When you hear people talk about mom’s meatloaf, this is why. Put away all your misconceptions about what makes a great meatloaf, and give this delicious dinner a try!
How to make The Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe
STEP 1: Start with ground beef. Having extra fat in the beef, and not opting for the leanest beef will result in a tender slice of meatloaf!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
STEP 2: Combine your ground in a bowl with minced onion, garlic powder, quick cook oats, cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, salt and pepper. Adding the milk and cheese helps create a MOIST meatloaf, that will slice perfectly. Mix by hand or with a wooden spoon until combined.
STEP 3: Line a large baking sheet or shallow baking pan (make sure it has at least a 1″ side to collect any moisture or glaze) with aluminum foil. Shape your meat mixture into a loaf. Some people will use an actual loaf pan or bread pan, but I prefer the way it cooks on a baking sheet.
Next make your meatloaf glaze recipe.
STEP 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup ketchup, light brown sugar, and yellow mustard. Spoon glaze over the top of your meatloaf.
STEP 5: Bake in a preheated oven for about 55 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!
FAQ ABOUT MEATLOAF
Can I bake my meatloaf in a loaf pan?
Yes absolutely! You may want to line the pan with foil or parchment paper for easy release. I would use a 9-inch loaf pan, and use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
How long do I cook meatloaf?
My classic meatloaf recipe will cook in a 350 degree oven for about 55 minutes. The key is to check the internal temperature, and remove from oven when it reaches 160 degrees F.
Can you freeze Meatloaf?
Yes. Wrap uncooked meatloaf in plastic wrap then wrap in foil. Freeze for up to two months. When ready to cook, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake according to recipe directions.
Why does my meatloaf fall apart?
Don't skip adding the egg and milk to this recipe. It helps bind the beef together and keep it from crumbling.
Leftover Meatloaf
One of my favorite things to eat for lunch is a leftover meatloaf sandwich.
But, if you find you’ve really made too much, you can wrap it and freeze your leftovers. Heat in microwave for a quick lunch.
Or, break up the cooked meatloaf and put in tacos!
What you’ll need for the best BBQ Meatloaf recipe
- Ground Beef
- Minced Onion
- Garlic Powder
- Quick Cook Oatmeal (some people may choose breadcrumbs, I prefer the oats)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Milk (any kind)
- 2 large Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
- Ketchup
- Light Brown Sugar
- Yellow Mustard
- Shallow Baking Dish
- Foil
- Mixing Bowl (large bowl)
What to serve with this Perfect Meatloaf recipe
I know it’s not the holidays, but we still love making this Sweet Potato Casserole year round! It’s sweet and delicious, and goes great with this BBQ meatloaf recipe!
If you’re going to serve the perfect meatloaf you should also serve the The Best Mac and Cheese. This homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is one of the dishes my kids request on a weekly basis. I’ll change it up sometimes and serve this Gouda Bacon Macaroni and Cheese too.
Crisp pieces of roasted broccoli and roasted zucchini covered in garlic and Parmesan cheese make for a glorious side dish. This easy to make and kid-friendly Roasted Broccoli and Zucchini recipe deserves a spot on your dinner table!
My mother in law makes the creamiest mashed potatoes. nobody will know Jill’s Cheating Potatoes come from a box!
Looking for bread? These No Knead Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls will please the whole family! You can also try this Cheesy Onion Beer Bread. One bowl and easy to make too! Short on time? These Puff Pastry Bread Sticks are so easy and tasty!
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If you love this Classic Meatloaf, here are some other classic recipes
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Authentic Swedish Meatballs
- Sausage Stuffed Shells
- Bloody Rats and Bones
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Baked Pork Chops
- Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Chicken and Dumplings
- More Easy dinner recipes
The Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe with BBQ Glaze
Tender, flavorful Classic Meatloaf recipe with a sweet and tangy bbq glaze. This Perfect Meatloaf is better than you remember, give it a try tonight!
Ingredients
- 2 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Tbsp Minced Onion
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 cup Quick Cook Oatmeal
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Milk (any kind)
- 2 large Eggs
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine your ground beef in a bowl with minced onion, garlic powder, quick cook oats, cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix by hand or with a wooden spoon until combined.
- Line a large baking sheet or shallow baking pan (make sure it has at least a 1" side to collect any moisture or glaze) with aluminum foil. Shape your meat mixture into a loaf.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup ketchup, light brown sugar, and yellow mustard. Spoon glaze over the top of your meatloaf.
- Bake in a preheated oven for about 55 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 454 Total Fat: 23g Saturated Fat: 10g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 170mg Sodium: 447mg Carbohydrates: 21g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 15g Protein: 40g
Recipe originally published November 27, 2018
Classic Meatloaf recipe with a sweet and tangy bbq glaze. This Perfect Meatloaf is tender, flavorful, and better than you remember from childhood, give it a try tonight!
Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator. Her recipes have been featured in over 15 magazines, and her passion is to share her love of cooking with the everyday home cook! Learn more about Aimee.
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Love the tangy top on this recipe! Have to say…I always use oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs and it tastes so good!
Yummy recipe! Thanks for the inspiration on dinner!
Meatloaf is a family favorite at this time of year! It’s perfect for cold nights. I love this recipe!
I am loving everything about this!!! ESP that BBQ sauce. Sounds wonderful.
This is such a family favorite! So much flavor and everyone’s guaranteed to clean their plates!
Everyone needs this classic recipe in their weekly meal plz because it’s ultimate comfort food!
This meatloaf is so tender and full of flavor. Definitely not the meatloaf of my childhood. The bbq sauce is a wonderful addition – love it!
I grew up eating meatloaf too, and it’s still one of my favorite comfort foods. The tangy bbq sauce makes this version taste so good!!
Would it be ok with ground turkey? 😄
Yes, it would work, but it definitely changes the flavor!
How will this taste without the bbq topping? I prefer gravy (savory) over sweetness. It sounds delicious though.
The meatloaf itself is a great base for any or no topping. I usually only glaze half of it these days as my husband prefers NO glaze on his. Juicy and flavorful either way 🙂
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We loved this meatloaf! The glaze was just incredible too. We will definitely be having this meatloaf for dinner again!
This is certainly not your average dry and boring meatloaf! This is delicious!
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I’m 80 years old and hardly ever make my meatloaf the same way. Sometimes I glaze and sometimes I don’t. When I do I have always glazed my meatloaf with catchup the last 15 minutes of baking. However I love the tangy sweet flavor of this recipe. I wanted 30 minutes to put the glaze on as I didn’t want it to burn and it was perfect. Thank you.
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I don’t have cheddar cheese on hand…any substitutions?
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