
The Best Meatloaf in the World
The Best Meatloaf in the World
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Comfort food classic, Weeknight dinner, Holiday table
Cuisine
American
Servings
6
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
1:20 minute
Calories
481
Moist. Flavor-packed. Never boring. This is the meatloaf that makes people say, “Wait… I actually love meatloaf?” It’s got that nostalgic comfort, but with a sharper edge: tomato paste, Dijon, parmesan, and herbs all working in the background.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
-
⅔ cup garlic & herbs panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
-
1 pound ground pork (for extra juiciness)
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or chipotle powder for kick)
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Cook onion ~5 minutes until soft. Add garlic, thyme, tomato paste, and Worcestershire. Cook another minute. Let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooled onion mixture.
- Gently fold in beef (and pork, if using) with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
Form into a loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Skip the loaf pan, open baking = crisp edges and better caramelization.
- Whisk together glaze ingredients. Spoon half over the loaf before baking.
- Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes. Remove, glaze again, then bake another 15–20 minutes until internal temp reaches 160°F.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold together and locks in the juices.
Recipe Note
Tips
A pan of water in the oven helps prevent drying.
Add ground pork for extra tenderness.
Leftovers? Make sandwiches with sharp cheddar, Dijon, and sourdough.
Don’t skip the resting time, it’s crucial.
Storage + Reheating
Fridge: Up to 4 days, tightly wrapped
Freezer: Freeze slices with parchment between each, up to 2 months
Reheat: Warm gently in oven at 300°F or microwave with a damp towel to retain moisture
Nutrition
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 serving
- per serving
- Calories
- 481
- Carbs
- 15 grams
- Fat
- 32 grams
- Protein
- 28 grams
- Fiber
- 1 grams
- Sugar
- 4 grams