Classic American Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) ground beef 2 pounds (900g) ground beef
• 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup (60ml) ketchup 1/4 cup (60ml) ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• For the glaze: For the glaze:
• 1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup 1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 16g, 7g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan and shape it into a loaf shape.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to make the glaze.
5. 5.
   Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
8. 8.
   Serve slices of meatloaf with additional glaze on top, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. Avoid overmixing the meatloaf mixture to prevent a dense texture.
• Breadcrumbs — Use fresh breadcrumbs or panko for the best texture. If you prefer a gluten-free version, opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Onion — Finely chop the onion to ensure it blends well into the meatloaf mixture.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the meatloaf mixture.
• Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier meatloaf.
• Customize the spices according to your preference by adding herbs like rosemary or parsley.
• Leftover meatloaf makes delicious sandwiches the next day.
• Experiment with different glazes, such as barbecue sauce or a tangy honey mustard glaze.

Serving advice

Serve the meatloaf slices with a side of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the meatloaf with fresh parsley or thyme leaves for an appealing presentation. Serve it on a platter with the glaze drizzled over the top.