A hearty, home-cooked classic that tastes like love from Mama Clara’s kitchen.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55–65 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6–8 servings
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 works best for moisture)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers for extra Southern charm)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
For the Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Directions
1. Prepare the Meat Mixture
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, bell pepper, garlic, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and seasonings.
- Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined — don’t overmix or the meatloaf will be dense.
2. Shape & Place in the Pan
- Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan OR shape into a loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Smooth the top gently with your hands.
3. Add the Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
- Spread half the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
4. Bake
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the center reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Brush the remaining glaze on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
5. Serve Warm
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing — this keeps it tender and juicy.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or a fluffy dinner roll for the full Southern comfort experience.
Notes from Mama Clara’s Kitchen
“This meatloaf is the kind that brings the family runnin’ to the table. Moist, flavorful, and baked with love — just like Mama used to make.”
