The Best Easy Weeknight Meatloaf Recipe

When it comes to weeknight comfort food, you can't go wrong with meatloaf. This largely hands-off dish is perfect with a variety of side dishes, especially mashed potatoes. And it's one of the few dishes that you know will have the whole family running to the dinner table.

There are many ways to make meatloaf. Essentially a meat mixture with bread crumbs, you can make meatloaf with turkey, pork, or ground chicken, though ground beef is traditional.

To make this the best meatloaf recipe, we opted to keep this recipe simple. We use pure ground beef, a moderate amount of breadcrumbs, a few seasonings, and a super flavorful bacon-topped glaze.

We're skipping some of the common add-ins, such as milk, or complicated cooking methods, such as a water bath. We don't think they're necessary. You can use this recipe as a jumping-off point, to add in your favorite flavors. Or you can make it as-is, knowing it will just work, and it will taste great.

What is the secret to a great meatloaf?

This is a pretty easy dish to cook. But if you're just learning how to make meatloaf, there are two tips that will ensure big smiles and clean plates.

The first is to use the best ingredients that you can. If possible, use freshly ground beef that hasn't been packed down. If you're using packaged ground beef, spend a little time separating it, so it's less dense. We also prefer a homemade bbq sauce for the topping.

Second, don't over-mix the ingredients. You don't want the meatloaf to fall apart, but you also don't want it to be too dense. Keeping it lighter will help it cook through as well as ensuring a much tastier loaf.

Is meatloaf better on a sheet pan or loaf pan?

Both methods of making meatloaf are delicious, but we've included instructions for making it on a sheet pan. This helps make our recipe more versatile. More cooks have sheet pans, and you certainly don't need a loaf pan. We also find it a little easier to slice and serve from a sheet pan.

If you want to cook this meatloaf in a loaf pan, you can. As long as it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F as measured by a meat thermometer, either method is fine.

Should meatloaf be cooked covered or uncovered?

While some recipes recommend covering meatloaf to keep it moist, we avoid it. That's because we love the crispy bits that you get on the edges and top. To keep it moist, we recommend turning down the temperature partway through cooking, instead.

How hot should the oven be when cooking meatloaf?

As long as your meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F, it's safe to eat. This means that you can cook a meatloaf at a range of temperatures. The lower the temperature, the longer it will take to cook. But it's also harder to overcook a meatloaf at lower temperatures.

We recommend starting the oven at a higher temperature, around 400°F, for the first fifteen minutes. Then, we suggest turning it down to about 350°F for the remainder of the hour. We've found that this method gets a nice sear on the outside of the meatloaf, while the interior cooks through.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?

Traditionally, eggs are the ingredient that helps keep meatloaf from falling apart. They also provide a bit of leavening and add some moisture to the mixture. If you're avoiding eggs, you can choose to use an egg substitute, such as cornstarch or a vegan egg mix. But we recommend using eggs if at all possible.

Made this recipe? Tell us what you think in the comments, below!