Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Do If My Meatloaf Is Falling Apart?
Ground beef doesn’t hold its shape all on its own. For this meatloaf recipe, it’s the mixture of eggs and breadcrumbs that binds it together. If you find your mixture not holding together, simply use more of the binding ingredients. Add an extra egg to the mixture or increase the amount of breadcrumbs you’re using. Another idea is to mix the breadcrumbs and eggs together first, and then add that resulting mixture to the ground beef.
Whatever method you try, as long as you stir it in well and the mixture has a uniform texture, it’ll still bake perfectly even if you adjusted the recipe.
How Do I Make Sure My Meatloaf will be Moist?
We designed this meatloaf recipe to deliver the classically craveable meatloaf taste and texture. But if you want to supercharge your meatloaf and make it as tender and juicy as possible, here are some ideas for how to achieve the meatloaf of your dreams.
Extra ingredients, or simple steps. In addition to contributing to the binding power of the recipe, an additional egg can add some much needed moisture to the recipe, without overpowering the taste. Or, soak the breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to the mix. This helps keep the breadcrumbs from drying out during baking and adds moisture to the meatloaf.
With ground beef, fat means flavor. This traditional meatloaf recipe calls for 80% lean ground beef. That’s because leaner varieties of ground beef have much less fat, which can contribute to the meat drying out a bit faster. Choosing ground beef with a higher fat content ensures that the meat will stay moist and plump throughout baking, for juicy, delicious meatloaf.
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var configuration = {"title":"Traditional Meatloaf","introduction":"\u003cp\u003eAround 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeatloaf 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne 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 \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/classic-slow-cooker-meatloaf/69695545-ae4e-4110-8bfe-5be38cf55073\u0022\u003eClassic Slow-Cooker Meatloaf recipe\u003c/a\u003e and let your slow cooker do the work for you. Looking to step up the spice? Take a look at our \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/savory-meatloaf/45f115c8-283b-4e79-8108-d252643ca66a\u0022\u003eSavory Meatloaf recipe\u003c/a\u003e that adds a whole lot more flavor with just a little extra effort.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Make Meatloaf\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTime to dive right into this recipe. The full steps are below, but first, an overview.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe First Step Is Prep\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuckily, 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eShape Up\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInto the Oven\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBake 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!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlating and Presentation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet 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.\u003c/p\u003e","servingSize":"1 Serving","image":{"small":{"media":"(min-width: 0px)","src":"https://mojo.generalmills.com/api/public/content/hyGA-GKWIEGSe0xHWL395w_webp_base.webp?v=afbece91\u0026t=e724eca7b3c24a8aaa6e089ed9e611fd"},"medium":{"media":"(min-width: 500px)","src":"https://mojo.generalmills.com/api/public/content/hyGA-GKWIEGSe0xHWL395w_webp_base.webp?v=afbece91\u0026t=191ddcab8d1c415fa10fa00a14351227"},"large":{"media":"(min-width: 767px)","src":"https://mojo.generalmills.com/api/public/content/hyGA-GKWIEGSe0xHWL395w_webp_base.webp?v=afbece91\u0026t=191ddcab8d1c415fa10fa00a14351227"},"alt":"Traditional Meatloaf"},"contributor":{"label":"By","name":"Betty Crocker Kitchens","profileUrl":"/about-us","displayDate":{"label":"Updated","date":"Jul 9, 2024"}},"ingredientGroups":[{"name":"Meatloaf","ingredients":[{"quantity":"1","description":"lb lean ground beef (at least 80%)"},{"quantity":"1/4","description":"cup finely chopped onion"},{"quantity":"2","description":"eggs, beaten"},{"quantity":"1","description":"cup Progresso™ Plain Bread Crumbs"},{"quantity":"1","description":"teaspoon Italian seasoning"},{"quantity":"1/2","description":"cup ketchup"},{"quantity":"1/2","description":"cup milk"}]},{"name":"Topping","ingredients":[{"quantity":"1/4","description":"cup ketchup"}]}],"steps":[{"description":"Heat oven to 350°F. 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The slightly savory, tangy flavor complements the well-rounded taste of the meatloaf perfectly, and with how many wonderful options there are for store-bought ketchup, you can get a whole lot of flavor without a lot of effort.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut if you want to step it up, here’s a great place to start. A combination of equal parts ketchup and BBQ sauce plus a tablespoon of brown sugar is one of the most common variations. The dash of sweetness you get from the brown sugar adds a great boost to the ketchup and BBQ and gives it a texture that’s more like a glaze, infusing the recipe with complex flavors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sauce is such a great place for experimenting because the ketchup base is so versatile. Maybe you’d like to add some curry spice. Or, add a splash of savory Worcestershire sauce. 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