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A freshly baked old-school classic meatloaf, perfectly browned and sliced.

Old-School Classic Panade Meatloaf

This classic meatloaf recipe uses a panade to keep the meat incredibly moist and tender. It's topped with a tangy ketchup glaze for a delicious family-friendly meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • fork
  • small skillet
  • baking sheet
  • loaf pan

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf Mixture

  • 1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef
  • 2-3 slices stale white bread
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 medium onion finely diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup ketchup for mixture
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Glaze

  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

Prepare the Panade

  • Tear stale white bread into small pieces and soak in milk for 5-10 minutes, then mash with a fork.

Sauté Aromatics

  • Dice onion and mince garlic. Sauté onion in olive oil until soft, then add garlic and cook for a minute; let cool.

Combine Ingredients

  • Combine ground beef, panade, cooled aromatics, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

Mix Gently

  • Gently mix all ingredients by hand until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Shape and Bake

  • Form the mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf shape on a foil-lined baking sheet or in a loaf pan.

Glaze (Optional but Recommended)

  • Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze; spread half over the meatloaf.

Bake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 45 minutes; apply remaining glaze and bake for another 15-20 minutes until it reaches 160°F (71°C).

Rest

  • Remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

For best results, do not skip the resting step after baking, as it locks in moisture and flavor.