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A full serving of retro meatloaf dinner with gravy and mashed potatoes

Classic Retro Meatloaf Dinner Recipe

This classic retro meatloaf recipe brings a taste of nostalgia to your dinner table. Made with a savory blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, and topped with a tangy glaze, it's a comforting meal that's sure to please.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Loaf pan
  • Baking sheet
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Non-stick pan
  • Small bowl

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf

  • 1.5 - 2 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs plain or panko
  • ½ cup Milk whole milk or 2%
  • 1 Egg large, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup Onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • ½ cup Ketchup divided for mixture and glaze
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper or to taste
  • ½ tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 tbsp Dried Parsley or 2 tbsp fresh, chopped

Glaze

  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar packed

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet.
  • Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to soften.
  • Sauté finely diced onion in olive oil until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Let cool slightly.

Mixing and Baking

  • Add the cooled onion and garlic mixture, ground beef, beaten egg, ¼ cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and dried parsley to the softened breadcrumbs.
  • Gently mix all ingredients with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan or shape into an oval loaf on the baking sheet.
  • Whisk together the remaining ¼ cup ketchup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar in a small bowl for the glaze.
  • Bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, brush generously with the glaze, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the glaze is caramelized.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the meatloaf mixture. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete classic dinner.