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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and375°FGrown-up: heata sheet pan with parchment.
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 - In a large bowl, stir the breadcrumbs and milk together and let them soak until soft.⏱ Soak crumbs: 5 minKid step
- Add the eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, thyme and parsley to the crumbs and stir well.Kid step
- 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
- Shape the mixture into a loaf about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide in the middle of the sheet pan.Kid step
- Kid stepthe glaze ingredients and brush or spoon half of it over the loaf.
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 - Bake for 40 minutes.375°F⏱ Bake: 40 minGrown-up: heat
- 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
- Let it⏱ Rest: 10 minGrown-up: knife, heat10 minutes before slicing so the juices settle and the slices hold together.
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
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
How long leftovers keep, and freezing and reheating: leftovers and storage.
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 2,180 kJ
- 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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Gear for this recipe
- See price on Amazon: Half sheet pan (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: Parchment paper sheets (opens Amazon)
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See price on Amazon: Instant-read thermometer (opens Amazon)
Instant-read thermometer
The only reliable way to know ground meat reached 160°F inside.
Suggested: ThermoWorks
- See price on Amazon: Nesting mixing bowls (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: Measuring cups and spoons (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: Balloon whisk (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: Box grater (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: Pastry brush (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: 8-inch chef's knife (opens Amazon)
- See price on Amazon: Large cutting board (opens Amazon)
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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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