I love preparing my version of Everyday Meatloaf using 1 lb ground beef combined with 1/2 lb ground pork, blended with breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, and a hint of garlic. Every bite brings back memories of family dinners drawn together by simple, flavorful ingredients and a tangy ketchup topping.
I’ve always loved how Grandma’s classic meatloaf recipe brings back memories of simple yet amazingly tasty dinners. I remember when my family used to gather around to watch her prepare what I now call my Everyday Meatloaf– its juicy mix of 1 lb ground beef and 1/2 lb ground pork blended perfectly with 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup milk, 2 lightly beaten eggs, and a few bits of finely chopped onion and minced garlic.
Mixing in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce with a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper makes it a real Beef Meatloaf Easy must-try dish. The real kicker though is the topping, with 1/3 cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon yellow mustard that gives it that perfect sweet tang.
This Meat Loft Recipes Best Easy dish is a surefire hit on a busy weeknight and will have you craving for more.
Why I Like this Recipe
I really like this recipe because it brings back memories of my grandma’s cooking and makes me feel like a kid again. I love the mix of ground beef and pork since it gives the meatloaf a juicy, rich flavor that keeps it interesting. The way the breadcrumbs soaked in milk blend in makes the whole dish super tender and not too heavy. Also, the ketchup topping with brown sugar and mustard adds a tangy, sweet kick that just hits the spot and reminds me of comfort food on hectic weeknights.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Rich in protein and iron this lean meat provides flavor and hearty texture.
- Ground Pork: Adds moisture and tenderness with robust flavor, boosting overall dish richness.
- Breadcrumbs: Supply carbohydrates and help bind ingredients, giving structure to every slice.
- Eggs: Provide extra protein and natural binding properties for a consistent, cohesive loaf.
- Onion: Delivers subtle sweetness and aromatic flavor while adding gentle crunch in each bite.
- Garlic: A powerful antioxidant that adds depth and pungency, balancing rich flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A tangy, savory condiment enhancing umami and complexity taste.
- Ketchup Topping: Combines tang and sweetness, caramelizing for an appealing glaze and flavor boost.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup (mixed into the meatloaf)
- 1/3 cup ketchup (for the topping)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for the topping)
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (for the topping)
How to Make this
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a loaf pan lightly.
2. In a small bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in the milk while you chop the onions.
3. In a larger bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, lightly beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and mix in 1/4 cup of ketchup.
4. Mix the ingredients together gently until just combined dont overwork the meat.
5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape it into a compact loaf.
6. In another bowl, mix the topping ingredients: 1/3 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon yellow mustard.
7. Spread the topping evenly over the meatloaf.
8. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F.
9. Once done, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
10. Slice and serve while warm with your favorite sides Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven – Preheat at 375°F
2. Loaf pan – To shape and bake the meatloaf
3. Small bowl – For soaking the breadcrumbs in milk
4. Large mixing bowl – To combine and mix all the meatloaf ingredients
5. Another mixing bowl – For mixing the topping ingredients
6. Chef’s knife – To chop the onion and mince the garlic
7. Cutting board – For chopping the onion and garlic
8. Measuring cups and spoons – To precisely measure milk, ketchup, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, and mustard
9. Mixing spoon – To gently mix the ingredients together
10. Meat thermometer – To ensure the meatloaf is cooked to 160°F in the center
FAQ
GRANDMA’S MEATLOAF RECIPE Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you dont have ground pork, you can simply boost the ground beef or try using lean ground turkey to keep the flavor balanced.
- Out of breadcrumbs? Crushed crackers or even rolled oats can be a pretty good replacement.
- If you’re out of milk, unsweetened almond milk or soy milk works just fine in the meatloaf mix.
- Don’t have Worcestershire sauce? A mix of soy sauce with a squeeze of lemon juice can do the trick.
- If you need to swap the small onion, you can use a shallot which offers a milder taste.
Pro Tips
1. When mixin the meat well, be careful not to overdo it. Overmixing can make your meatloaf dense and tough, instead mix just until all the ingredients are combined.
2. Let the meatloaf rest after it comes out of the oven. It might seem like a wasted minute but this step really helps the juices settle in the meat so every slice is super moist.
3. Use a meat thermometer to check the center of your loaf. Make sure it reads 160°F to ensure that its cooked properly. This is a lifesaver especially if your oven tends to run a bit hot or cold.
4. If you want extra flavor, try brushing on a little bit more of the topping halfway through baking. This will create a delicious glaze and add an extra kick of sweetness and tang to each bite.
GRANDMA'S MEATLOAF RECIPE Recipe
I love preparing my version of Everyday Meatloaf using 1 lb ground beef combined with 1/2 lb ground pork, blended with breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, and a hint of garlic. Every bite brings back memories of family dinners drawn together by simple, flavorful ingredients and a tangy ketchup topping.
8
servings
320
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven – Preheat at 375°F
2. Loaf pan – To shape and bake the meatloaf
3. Small bowl – For soaking the breadcrumbs in milk
4. Large mixing bowl – To combine and mix all the meatloaf ingredients
5. Another mixing bowl – For mixing the topping ingredients
6. Chef’s knife – To chop the onion and mince the garlic
7. Cutting board – For chopping the onion and garlic
8. Measuring cups and spoons – To precisely measure milk, ketchup, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, and mustard
9. Mixing spoon – To gently mix the ingredients together
10. Meat thermometer – To ensure the meatloaf is cooked to 160°F in the center
Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef
-
1/2 lb ground pork
-
1 cup breadcrumbs
-
1/2 cup milk
-
2 eggs, lightly beaten
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
-
1/4 cup ketchup (mixed into the meatloaf)
-
1/3 cup ketchup (for the topping)
-
1 tablespoon brown sugar (for the topping)
-
1 teaspoon yellow mustard (for the topping)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a loaf pan lightly.
- In a small bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in the milk while you chop the onions.
- In a larger bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, lightly beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and mix in 1/4 cup of ketchup.
- Mix the ingredients together gently until just combined dont overwork the meat.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape it into a compact loaf.
- In another bowl, mix the topping ingredients: 1/3 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon yellow mustard.
- Spread the topping evenly over the meatloaf.
- Bake in the oven for about 1 hour or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F.
- Once done, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice and serve while warm with your favorite sides Enjoy!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 150g
- Total number of serves: 8
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 7g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 312mg
- Potassium: 310mg
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 16g
- Vitamin A: 100IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 80mg
- Iron: 3mg
