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Home » Easy and Moist Homemade Meatloaf

August 22, 2022 Dinner and Lunch

Easy and Moist Homemade Meatloaf

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Create a wonderfully moist and tender meatloaf with this simple recipe. By combining ground meat with a blend of fresh vegetables, you get a family-friendly dinner that’s packed with flavor. With just 20 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of baking, this will become your go-to meal.

What You Will Need:

  • Meatloaf recipe
  •  2 pounds of ground beef
  • 3 pieces of bread
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 8 baby carrots
  • 1 large stalk of celery
  • 2 garlic cloves 
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon each of sea salt and black pepper
  • Topping 
  • 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard
  • ¼ cup of ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

Building a Strong Meatloaf Base: Bread and Veggies

This is very easy! The bread goes in the food processor first. Make bread crumbs out of the three slices of bread with the food processor. You can use whatever bread you choose. Place the bread crumbs in a large bowl and then move on to the veggies. I have substituted and added other veggies in the recipe. I have added bell peppers and mushrooms to the recipe as it is, and we all loved it. After the veggies are processed to a small dice, place them in the bowl with the bread crumbs.

The Secret to Moist Meatloaf: Choosing Your Meat

We normally use beef in this recipe but you can use a meatloaf mix. A meatloaf mix is pork, beef, and veal. Also you can use turkey too. The veggies add enough moistness to keep the turkey from becoming too dry. Sometimes a turkey meatloaf can turn out super dry! You can mix it up however you like! Make it your own!

How to Form the Loaf and Make the Tangy Glaze

I form the meatloaf pretty flat. This way everyone can get some of the topping because it spreads over the whole top of the meatloaf. The topping is just yellow mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar. The brown sugar caramelizes as the meatloaf cooks. The mix of sweet and savory is wonderful!

Make-Ahead Meatloaf: Prep Now, Bake Later!

You can form the meatloaf, cover it, and place it in the fridge until you need to bake it. I usually make it up to 4-5 hours ahead of time. I have not kept it in the fridge any longer than that uncooked. Be sure to keep the topping separate and spread it on when you are ready to bake the meatloaf.

a formed meatloaf on top of my stove. The meatloaf recipe is from Clevelandcooking.com. The sides of the formed meatloaf are turned up to make sure the topping stays on. the meatloaf is about 2 inches high and 13 inches long, 9 inches wide.

When You Are Ready To Bake

When your meatloaf mixture is ready, form it in the shape of a long, wide, and flat, loaf on top of a parchment lined baking sheet. The meatloaf pictured above is about 2 inches high. I needed this one to cook quicker. I usually make it from about 2-3 inches high. Make sure to bring the edges up a bit so that the topping does not run off (don’t put the topping on yet).

Chill the formed meatloaf for about 30 minutes before baking. Bake the meatloaf at 375 degrees F for 40 Minutes. After 20 minutes, add the topping. Bake for the remaining 20 minutes or until a thermometer inserted reads 165 degrees F. And the topping is caramelized!

Try our favorite meatloaf recipe with the Pommes Anna recipe!

Can I use different types of meat in this meatloaf recipe?

Yes! While beef is traditional, you can use a mix of pork, beef, and veal—or even turkey. Just note that turkey is leaner, so the veggies help keep it moist.

What vegetables work well in this meatloaf?

Onions, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and mushrooms all work great. You can customize the mix based on what your family enjoys.

Do I need a food processor to make this recipe?

A food processor makes it quicker to chop the bread and veggies, but you can finely chop them by hand if needed.

Why is the meatloaf shaped flat instead of like a loaf?

Shaping it flatter allows for more even topping coverage, so everyone gets a bite with the caramelized glaze.

What’s in the meatloaf topping?

The simple and delicious topping is a mix of ketchup, yellow mustard, and brown sugar—it adds a perfect sweet and tangy finish.

Can I make this meatloaf ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatloaf mixture in advance and refrigerate it. Just add the topping before baking.

How do I keep the meatloaf from drying out?

Including vegetables and not overbaking are key. For leaner meats like turkey, the added moisture from the veggies is especially helpful. Also, the topping helps.

What’s the best bread to use for meatloaf breadcrumbs?

Any bread will work—white, whole wheat, or even leftover rolls. The food processor helps turn them into fine crumbs easily.

How do I store and reheat leftover meatloaf?

Leftover meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can warm slices in the microwave, in a skillet over medium-low heat, or in a 350°F oven until heated through.

Can I freeze this meatloaf?

Yes, this meatloaf freezes well. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. For an unbaked loaf, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.

This is just one of the great dinners I have on my site. Click here to try out some more!

Meatloaf Recipe from Cleveland Cooking. Meatloaf with a sweet tomato sauce baked on top.

Easy and Moist Homemade Meatloaf

Author: Dan Harper
327kcal
5 from 1 vote
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Prep 20 minutes mins
Cook 40 minutes mins
Resting time 20 minutes mins
Total 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Create a moist and flavorful meatloaf using fresh vegetables and a sweet, tangy glaze. This simple, family tested recipe is a go-to for a delicious dinner.
Servings 8 people
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients

Meatloaf recipe
  • 2 pounds of ground beef
  • 3 pieces of bread
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 8 baby carrots
  • 1 large stalk of celery
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon each of sea salt and black pepper
Topping
  • 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard
  • ¼ cup of ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

Method

  1. Place bread into a food processor and blend into bread crumbs. Place bread crumbs into a large bowl and set aside.
  2. Next, place onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into a food processor and process until finely diced.
  3. Place vegetable mixture into a bowl with bread crumbs.
  4. Next add ground beef, egg, and salt and pepper to the bowl. Mix until well combined.
  5. Let the mixture set in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
  6. Place the mixture on top of a parchment covered baking sheet and form into a loaf. See the writeup above for instructions for forming the mixture.
  7. Place in oven and bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees F
  8. After 20 minutes place the topping on top of the meatloaf.
  9. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until thermometer reads 165 degrees F

Nutrition

Calories327kcalCarbohydrates8gProtein21gFat23gSaturated Fat9gPolyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat10gTrans Fat1gCholesterol101mgSodium596mgPotassium393mgFiber1gSugar6gVitamin A1452IUVitamin C2mgCalcium38mgIron3mg

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Categories: Dinner and Lunch

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jordan says

    September 15, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    5 stars
    I have never been a fan of meatloaf, probably because I have never had any GOOD meatloaf before. I decided to try out this recipe in hopes that I could change my mind, and I did. This meatloaf was the best I’ve ever had!! The carrots make it sweet, and the ketchup/mustard topping was great! I think next time I’ll add some paprika in too!! 🙂 Thank You Cleveland Cooking for turning me on to good meatloaf

    Log in to Reply
    • clevelandcooking says

      September 15, 2022 at 10:02 pm

      Thank you so much for giving it a try! Your comment made my day!

      Log in to Reply
5 from 1 vote

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