🥩 Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900 g) ground beef, preferably 80–85% lean
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
Meatloaf Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
🥔 Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2½–3 lb (1.1–1.4 kg) potatoes, peeled
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½–¾ cup warm milk
- ½ tsp salt, plus more for boiling
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Optional: 2 cloves roasted or minced garlic
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a loaf pan or a baking sheet. For a meatloaf with better browning around the edges, a baking sheet or shallow roasting pan works especially well.
2. Prepare the onion and garlic
Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
For a softer, sweeter flavor, sauté the onion in a little butter or oil over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic during the final minute.
Let the mixture cool slightly.
3. Make the meatloaf mixture
Place the ground beef in a large bowl.
Add:
- Cooked onion and garlic
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Milk
- ¼ cup ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Paprika
Gently mix everything together with clean hands or a fork.
Don’t overmix. Mixing too aggressively can make the meatloaf dense and tough. Stop as soon as the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Shape the meatloaf
Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan.
Shape it into a loaf approximately 8–9 inches long and 4–5 inches wide.
If using a loaf pan, don’t pack the meat down too firmly.
5. Make the glaze
In a small bowl, combine:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Mix until smooth.
Spread about half of the glaze over the top of the uncooked meatloaf. Save the rest for later.
6. Bake the meatloaf
Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 45 minutes.
Remove it from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top.
Return it to the oven and continue baking for another 15–25 minutes, depending on its size.
The safest way to check doneness is with a meat thermometer. The center should reach 160°F (71°C).
7. Rest the meatloaf
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for approximately 10–15 minutes before slicing.
This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meatloaf much easier to slice without falling apart.
🥔 Meanwhile, Make the Mashed Potatoes
8. Cut the potatoes
Peel the potatoes and cut them into similarly sized pieces, roughly 1½–2 inches each.
Keeping the pieces similar in size helps them cook evenly.
9. Boil the potatoes
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water.
Add a generous pinch of salt.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
Cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork.
10. Drain thoroughly
Drain the potatoes well.
Return them to the warm pot and let them sit over low heat for about 30–60 seconds, stirring gently.
This removes excess moisture and helps prevent watery mashed potatoes.
11. Add butter
Add 4 tablespoons of butter while the potatoes are still hot.
Mash until the butter is melted and incorporated.
12. Add warm milk
Gradually add ½ cup of warm milk, mixing as you go.
Add more milk if you want softer, creamier potatoes.
Season with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
For extra flavor, you can add roasted garlic or a little extra butter.
Don’t overmix the potatoes, especially if using a mixer. Too much mixing can make them gluey.
🍽️ Serve the Dinner
Slice the rested meatloaf into thick slices.
Spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto each plate and place 1–2 slices of meatloaf alongside them.
For the classic finishing touch, spoon some of the meatloaf juices or extra glaze over the meatloaf.
Great side dishes
You can serve it with:
- Steamed green beans
- Buttered peas
- Roasted carrots
- Corn
- Dinner rolls
- Simple green salad
Optional gravy
For an even more traditional comfort-food dinner, make a quick brown gravy and pour it over the mashed potatoes.
The ideal plate: creamy mashed potatoes + thick, juicy meatloaf slices + rich gravy or meatloaf glaze + a green vegetable.
Total time: about 1 hour 20 minutes
Prep: 20–25 minutes
Cook: 55–60 minutes
Serves: 6
