Meatloaf · Classic Glazed

Classic Glazed Meatloaf

A tender, juicy meatloaf with a sweet-and-tangy ketchup glaze that caramelizes in the oven. Baking it free-form on a sheet pan gives you more of those crispy edges.

New, no ratings yet0 reviewsby Simmerbee Kitchen

Prep
20 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 30 min
Serves
6
Level
Easy

Ingredients

  • Meatloaf
  • ¾ cup plain dry breadcrumbs, or 1 cup panko ≈ 81 g
    Swaps for plain dry breadcrumbs

    Instead of breadcrumbs

    • Panko and dry breadcrumbs: The same amount, either way. Panko is lighter and crunchier; fine crumbs make a denser, more even coating and a firmer binder.
    • Crushed crackers or cornflakes: The same amount. Crackers are saltier (cut other salt); cornflakes are extra crunchy and slightly sweet.
    • Rolled or quick oats: The same amount. A moist, tender binder; they don't crisp like crumbs.

    All 4 swaps for breadcrumbs

  • ½ cup whole milk
    Swaps for whole milk

    Instead of milk

    • Unsweetened soy milk: The same amount. The closest plant milk for baking: its protein helps things brown and set.
    • Unsweetened oat milk: The same amount. Creamy and mild with a hint of sweetness.
    • Unsweetened almond milk: The same amount. Thinner and less rich, so cakes are a little paler and drier.

    All 5 swaps for milk

    Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

  • 2 large eggs
    Swaps for eggs

    Instead of eggs

    • Flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Binds well but gives less lift, so bakes are a little denser and flatter, with a mild nutty taste and brown flecks.
    • Chia egg: 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Works like a flax egg: good binding, little lift, slightly denser crumb.
    • Unsweetened applesauce: ¼ cup for each egg. Moister and denser, with a soft, slightly gummy crumb if you swap more than one egg.

    All 5 swaps for eggs

    Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

  • 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
    Swaps for onion

    Instead of onion

    • Another onion: The same amount. Yellow is the all-rounder; white is sharper and crisper; red is milder raw and adds color; sweet onions are mildest.
    • Shallots: The same amount, chopped. Milder and sweeter, with a hint of garlic.
    • Leeks: About 1½ times as much, white and light green parts. Milder and softer when cooked.

    All 4 swaps for onion

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    Swaps for garlic

    Instead of garlic

    • Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
    • Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.

    More for garlic

  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    Swaps for Worcestershire sauce

    Instead of Worcestershire sauce

    • Soy sauce + vinegar: 1 tbsp soy sauce + ¼ tsp vinegar + a pinch of sugar for each 1 tbsp. Savory and tangy, less complex.
    • Vegan Worcestershire: The same amount. Very close, with no anchovies.

    More for Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp kosher salt
    Swaps for kosher salt

    Instead of salt

    • Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
    • Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.

    More for salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
    Swaps for fresh parsley

    Instead of parsley

    • Dried parsley: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Very mild; it adds color more than flavor.
    • Cilantro: The same amount. Stronger and citrusy; suits Mexican and Asian dishes.
    • Celery leaves or chervil: The same amount. Celery leaves are peppery and grassy; chervil is mild with a hint of anise.

    More for parsley

  • 2 lb ground beef, 85% lean, or 1 1/2 lb beef plus 1/2 lb ground pork
    Swaps for ground beef

    Instead of ground beef

    • Ground turkey or chicken: The same weight. Leaner and milder; burgers and meatballs are a bit drier.
    • Ground pork: The same weight. Richer and slightly sweet.
    • Plant-based ground: The same weight. Close in tacos and sauces; cooks faster.

    All 4 swaps for ground beef

    Cook ground beef and pork to 160°F (71°C) and ground turkey or chicken to 165°F (74°C).

  • Glaze
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
    Swaps for light brown sugar

    Instead of brown sugar

    • White sugar + molasses: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses (light) or 2 tbsp (dark). The same as store-bought.
    • White sugar: The same amount. Crisper, paler cookies with less caramel flavor.
    • Light and dark brown sugar: The same amount, either way. Dark brown sugar tastes stronger and makes bakes a bit darker and moister.

    All 4 swaps for brown sugar

  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    Swaps for apple cider vinegar

    Instead of vinegar

    • White wine vinegar or lemon juice: The same amount. Less fruity than apple cider vinegar.

    More for vinegar

  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
    Swaps for Dijon mustard

    Instead of mustard

    • Another prepared mustard: The same amount. Yellow is milder and more vinegary; Dijon is sharper; whole-grain adds texture; spicy brown is in between.
    • Dry mustard: 1 tsp dry mustard + 1 tsp water + 1 tsp white wine vinegar for each 1 tbsp. Sharper and less smooth.

    More for mustard

Cooking for a crowd? Pans, timing and salt for 12 to 50.

Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.

Cook to 160°F inside (check with a thermometer).

Steps

Kid helper. A child can do steps 2, 3, 5 and 6: no knife, no heat. Steps marked “Grown-up” use a knife, heat or raw meat or fish. Everyone washes hands after touching raw meat or fish. Cooking with kids

  1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and
    line (how to line a pan) Line a pan Cover the bottom (and sometimes sides) of a pan with parchment or foil so food doesn't stick and lifts out easily. 1. For a sheet pan, tear parchment the size of the pan and lay it flat.2. For a round cake pan, trace the bottom on parchment, cut the circle out and press it in.3. For brownies and bars, leave two long sides hanging over to make handles (a "sling").4. A little grease under the paper holds it in place. Done when: The paper lies flat with no folds where the batter could run under it. How to line a baking pan with parchment: mistakes to avoid
    a sheet pan with parchment.
    375°FGrown-up: heat
  2. In a large bowl, stir the breadcrumbs and milk together and let them soak until soft.
    ⏱ Soak crumbs: 5 minKid step
  3. Add the eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, thyme and parsley to the crumbs and stir well.
    Kid step
  4. Add the meat and mix gently with clean hands just until everything is evenly combined. Overmixing makes a dense loaf. Wash your hands well afterward.
    Grown-up: raw meat or fish
  5. Shape the mixture into a loaf about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide in the middle of the sheet pan.
    Kid step
  6. Whisk (how to whisk) Whisk Beat ingredients with a whisk to mix them smoothly or to add air. 1. Use a bowl big enough to whisk without splashing; set it on a damp towel to stop it spinning.2. Hold the whisk loosely and move it in quick circles or side to side, touching the bottom.3. For lumpy mixtures, add liquid a little at a time and whisk after each.4. For sauces on the stove, keep the whisk moving across the whole bottom of the pan. Done when: The mixture is even with no lumps or streaks of egg. How to whisk: mistakes to avoid
    the glaze ingredients and brush or spoon half of it over the loaf.
    Kid step
  7. Bake for 40 minutes.
    375°F⏱ Bake: 40 minGrown-up: heat
  8. Spoon the rest of the glaze over the top and bake until the center reads 160°F (71°C) on a thermometer.
    375°F⏱ Bake + glaze: 20 minGrown-up: heat
  9. Let it
    rest (how to rest) Rest Leave cooked meat, baked goods or dough alone for a while before you cut, slice or shape it. 1. Move meat to a board or plate as soon as it is done (a few degrees shy of target for big roasts; it keeps rising).2. Tent it loosely with foil if the kitchen is cool.3. Rest steaks and chops 5 minutes, roasts 15 to 20, a turkey 30.4. For dough, cover it so it doesn't dry out while it relaxes. Done when: Meat juices stay in when you slice; dough rolls out without springing back. Safety: Rest at room temperature for under an hour, then refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.How to rest meat and dough: mistakes to avoid
    10 minutes before slicing so the juices settle and the slices hold together.
    ⏱ Rest: 10 minGrown-up: knife, heat

Tap an underlined word for how to do it, or see all techniques.

Tips

  • Grating the onion on a box grater keeps the texture smooth for picky eaters.
  • Leftover slices make a great sandwich the next day.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 4 days, or freeze slices up to 3 months.

Make ahead

Shape the loaf, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. Add about 10 minutes to the bake time if it goes in cold.

Cook once, eat twice: Double it (12 servings instead of 6), eat half and freeze the other half. It keeps 3 months frozen, by the storage note above. Print a freezer label · More freezer meals

Quick answers

Can I freeze it?

Yes. Refrigerate up to 4 days, or freeze slices up to 3 months.

Can I make it ahead?

Shape the loaf, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. Add about 10 minutes to the bake time if it goes in cold. Leftover slices make a great sandwich the next day.

What can I swap?
  • Instead of breadcrumbs: Panko and dry breadcrumbs, the same amount, either way.
  • Instead of milk: Unsweetened soy milk, the same amount.

Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

Answered from this recipe's own storage, make-ahead and swap notes.

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories
520
Protein
31 g
Carbohydrates
23 g
Fiber
1 g
Sugars
11 g
Fat
33 g
Saturated fat
13 g
Sodium
750 mg

Whole recipe, 6 servings: about 3,130 calories.

Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 14 of 14 ingredients.

How we estimate

We add up USDA FoodData Central values for each measured ingredient as written and divide by the recipe's 6 servings, so changing the servings or units here doesn't change a serving. Brands, swaps, trimming and cooking all change the real numbers.

Not counted: fresh parsley (optional).

Estimated cost

About $2.65 a serving

About $16.00 for the recipe as written (6 servings).

Estimate; prices vary by store and region. U.S. average prices for September 2026 from BLS Average Price Data and USDA ERS Purchase to Plate prices updated with the BLS Consumer Price Index. Priced: 11 of 14 ingredients, 100% by weight.

How we estimate

Each measured ingredient is weighed as in the nutrition estimate and priced at the U.S. average: BLS's average price where BLS publishes one, else USDA ERS's Purchase to Plate price for 2017-18 raised to September 2026 with the CPI for that food group. Whole packages, store brands, sales and regions all change the real cost: treat it as a ballpark.

  • ground beef $13.50 BLS
  • plain dry breadcrumbs $0.75 ERS
  • ketchup $0.45 ERS
  • eggs $0.40 BLS
  • onion $0.25 ERS
  • Worcestershire sauce $0.20 ERS
  • whole milk $0.15 BLS
  • apple cider vinegar $0.10 ERS
  • light brown sugar $0.10 ERS
  • garlic $0.05 ERS
  • Dijon mustard $0.05 ERS

Not priced (no official average price we can match, so not in the total): kosher salt, black pepper, dried thyme or Italian seasoning.

Not counted: fresh parsley (optional, or to taste).

More dishes for less: cheap eats.

Goes well with

Picked by our pairing rules: the same kind of kitchen, room in the oven and on the stove, ready in time, and a balance of starch, vegetables and richness.

  • Side Cheesy Garlic Bread 30 min Shares the 375°F oven with the meatloaf. Ready in 30 min, inside the main's 1 hr 30 min. Brings the starch the meatloaf doesn't have.
  • Side Boiled Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter 25 min Both American. Cooks on the stove while the meatloaf is in the oven. Ready in 25 min, inside the main's 1 hr 30 min.
  • Dessert Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Pound Cake 3 hr 45 min Light and fruity after a rich main. Make it ahead, so it's ready when dinner is.

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Cleanup score 4/5 (easy cleanup): 2 things to wash, sheet pan, mixing bowl. More sheet-pan recipes.

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