Joy of Cooking Meatloaf Recipe
This Joy of Cooking Meatloaf Recipe is the ultimate comfort meal—tender, savory, and topped with a rich glaze. Perfect for family dinners.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Loaf pan (Normal 9x5 is effective)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Aluminum foil (optional, for covering)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs or panko
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
- ½ cup ketchup plus extra for glaze
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup chopped parsley
- A dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line your loaf pan.
- Now, sprinkle the breadcrumbs with milk in a large bowl until the breadcrumbs become soft. This is done to make the meatloaf tender and moist.
- Add the aromatics: Add onion, garlic, and seasoning.
- Add the meat and eggs: Add beaten eggs and ground beef. Blend lightly using either a spoon or hands (do not over mix or the loaf will end up hard).
- Bake the loaf: Pour into the loaf pan and brush the top.
- Glaze it over. Smear ketchup or ketchup-Worcestershire mixture on top. As it bakes, it caramelizes well.
- Bake open and uncovered between 55 and 65 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 °C.
- Roll, then cut: The meatloaf should be allowed to rest for 10 minutes, and then it may be sliced. This holds the juices in their places.