My Easy Meatloaf is a family-friendly classic that’s simple to prepare and always popular with kids and adults alike. This version is sweet, savory, saucy, and perfectly seasoned—baked to tender perfection and great hot for dinner or sliced for sandwiches the next day.
Meatloaf makes a comforting, filling dinner that’s easy to assemble. I often make it on Sunday night as a cozy end to the weekend, but it’s quick enough for a busy weeknight. This recipe swaps traditional ketchup for barbecue sauce and adds Italian seasoning and Worcestershire sauce, creating a rich, well-rounded flavor. Serve with mashed potatoes and peas for a classic meal, or try some of the alternate serving ideas below.
Why You’ll Love This Meatloaf Recipe
This meatloaf stands out because it uses barbecue sauce instead of ketchup and layers in savory notes from Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Those pantry staples deliver robust flavor with minimal fuss, so the recipe comes together quickly. Use any barbecue sauce you prefer—sweet, smoky, or spicy—to tailor the loaf to your family’s tastes.
Ingredients For Meatloaf
- Ground beef: Lean ground beef reduces excess grease.
- Breadcrumbs: ½ cup plain breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers).
- Onion: ½ cup diced onion; white, yellow, sweet, or red all work.
- Egg: 1 large egg, lightly beaten.
- Garlic: 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves).
- Italian seasoning: 3 tablespoons of your favorite blend.
- Salt & pepper: 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
- Barbecue sauce: 1 cup total, divided—½ cup in the mixture and ½ cup to glaze the top.
- Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons for savory depth.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped, for garnish.
How to Make Meatloaf
This recipe is straightforward: mix the ingredients, shape the loaf, and bake. The steps are quick, and the result is a tender, flavorful meatloaf perfect for family meals.
- Prep oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with foil and lightly grease the pan and foil. Leave the foil long enough to lift the meatloaf out after baking.
- Make the mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, diced onion, beaten egg, ½ cup barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing so the meatloaf remains tender.
- Shape and glaze: Form the mixture into a loaf in the prepared pan and spread the remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce over the top.
- Bake: Bake for about 50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the meatloaf rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
How Long to Cook Meatloaf
Cook time is typically about 50 minutes, but ovens and pans vary. The most reliable indicator of doneness is an internal temperature of 165°F. If needed, cook an extra 10–20 minutes until that temperature is reached.
Tips for Success
- Avoid overmixing: Combine everything until just blended. To reduce handling, mix the seasonings and wet ingredients first, then gently fold in the beef.
- Sauté the onions: If you have time, caramelize the onions before adding them—this adds sweetness and depth. Alternatively, grate the onion for a milder texture.
- Mini loaves: Make individual portions in mini loaf pans or a muffin tin for faster cooking and easy serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Fresh bread: Serve slices with warm butter and save leftovers for delicious meatloaf sandwiches.
- Roasted vegetables: Caramelized roasted vegetables pair well with the savory loaf.
- Potatoes: Serve with mashed, baked, or roasted potatoes—any style complements meatloaf.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw frozen meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- To reheat, bake at 350°F until warmed through, or slice and heat gently in a covered skillet.
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Zucchini lasagna with ground beef
- Ground beef tacos
- Quick beef stroganoff
- Sheet pan totchos
Easy Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, divided
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
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Line a loaf pan with foil and lightly grease the pan and foil. Leave extra overlap so you can lift the loaf out easily after baking.
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In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, diced onion, egg, ½ cup barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
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Shape the mixture into a loaf in the prepared pan and spread the remaining barbecue sauce over the top.
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Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Let the meatloaf rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
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Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Equipment
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Oven
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy; values may vary based on ingredients and tools used.
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