Classic Meatloaf Best Recipes

THE BEST MEATLOAF

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, chopped
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef chuck
• 1/2 cup panko

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Whisk the eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl until completely combined. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and lightly golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add 3 tablespoons of the ketchup and cook until most of the moisture has evaporated and the mixture is thick and brick red colored, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the onions cool slightly. Then add them to the beaten eggs and mix to combine.
• Add the beef to the egg and onion mixture. Break up the meat with a fork or wooden spoon, and then mix to thoroughly combine; you don't want to see any lumps of raw beef. Add the panko and mix to combine. Stir the meat vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 7 seconds; it will become more homogenous and tackier.
• Transfer the meat to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a 9-by-5-inch loaf. Smooth the top and evenly spread the remaining ketchup over top. Bake for 5 minutes, and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Continue to bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf registers 150 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

MEAT LOAF

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• 3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)
• 1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)
• 2 extra-large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

TOP RATED CLASSIC MEATLOAF

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup cracker crumb
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 2 tablespoons vinegar

Steps:

• Preheat oven 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, salt, pepper, egg, onion and tomato sauce.
• Mix lightly.
• Shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, water, mustard and vinegar.
• Brush the loaf with this mixture.
• Place meat loaf in oven and bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting occasionally with sauce.