Traditional Meatloaf Recipe

Around here, meatloaf just tastes like home. Homemade meatloaf has been a staple in American kitchens for generations. And for good reason. It’s wholesome, it’s hearty, and in just a few steps, you’ve got plenty to go around. Using everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand, you can create a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to make and easy to love.
Meatloaf is the quintessential comfort food. Something about the taste, the texture and the aroma, fills your whole kitchen with a sense of nostalgia. Let the flavors bring you back to memories of home-cooked meals past, and know that with every bite, you’re creating new moments to cherish. It’s the perfect go-to recipe for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering—whenever you’ve got a craving for comfort.

The Betty Crocker Kitchen has streamlined this traditional meatloaf recipe so you get the best results. No hard-to-find ingredients, fussy steps or special equipment required. Just mix, bake, sauce and serve. It’s that easy.

One thing that’s so wonderful about homemade meatloaf is its flexibility. Want to personalize the taste? Add a little extra sage or your favorite herbs to make the flavor your own. Want to make an easy meal even easier? Check out our Classic Slow-Cooker Meatloaf recipe and let your slow cooker do the work for you. Looking to step up the spice? Take a look at our Savory Meatloaf recipe that adds a whole lot more flavor with just a little extra effort.

How To Make Meatloaf

Time to dive right into this recipe. The full steps are below, but first, an overview.

The first step is prep.

Luckily, there’s not a lot of advanced work to do. Just beat 2 eggs and finely chop 1/4 cup of onion. Then mix that together with a pound of lean ground beef, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and a 1/2 cup each of ketchup and milk. The breadcrumbs and the eggs act as a bonding agent, keeping your meatloaf together. Stir well until the seasoning is evenly distributed, and you end up with a beautiful, uniform mixture.

Shape up!

For truly iconic, traditional meatloaf, it’s all about the ‘loaf.’ Use an ungreased 8x4-inch loaf pan and firmly pack the meatloaf mixture. A densely packed meatloaf is one that will keep its shape and that will be positively bursting with flavor.

Into the oven.

Bake at 350° F for 40 minutes. Once the meatloaf starts to set, remove it and spread your sauce over the top. Here, we’re keeping it simple and using ketchup, but if you’d like, the sauce is a great place to experiment. Read on for some tips!

Once your loaf is sauced, let it finish in the oven, so the flavors can meld and combine, and the meatloaf can come up to a safe temperature. Then it’s just a matter of being a little patient while your homemade meatloaf cools down and your kitchen fills with the unforgettable scent of home-cooked goodness.

Plating and presentation.

Let the meatloaf cool for a few minutes, then use a spatula on either side to lift the loaf out, and place it onto your serving dish. Traditionally, meatloaf is sliced the same way you’d slice a loaf of bread. When you’re plating your meatloaf, take care to keep the sauce clear of any side dishes.