Old-Fashioned Meatloaf, A.K.A Basic Meatloaf Recipe

Meatloaf is an American classic, a comforting and satisfying dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s easy to make and can feed a family for days, making it an economical choice for any home cook. The old-fashioned meatloaf, also known as the Basic Meatloaf recipe, is a simple yet delicious recipe that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

– 2 pounds ground beef
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup ketchup
– 1 tablespoon mustard
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything until all the ingredients are distributed evenly.

3. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish.

4. Bake it in the oven for 70 to 80 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing it.

6. Serve the meatloaf with some mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or just simply with ketchup on top.

Tips and Tricks:

– To make the meatloaf more flavorful, you can add other ingredients such as chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary.
– You can also substitute the ground beef with ground pork, veal, or poultry for a different taste.
– For a crispy outer layer, you can brush the meatloaf with some barbecue sauce before baking.
– To prevent the meatloaf from sticking to the baking dish, you can line it with some aluminum foil or parchment paper.

In summary, the old-fashioned meatloaf, or Basic Meatloaf recipe, is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s easy to make and can feed a family for days. The key is to combine the ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper, shape it into a loaf, and bake it for 70 to 80 minutes. You can make it more flavorful by adding other ingredients such as herbs or substituting the type of meat used. Brushing the meatloaf with some barbecue sauce before baking can give it a crispy outer layer. And to prevent it from sticking to the baking dish, you can line it with some aluminum foil or parchment paper.