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Classic Homemade Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe Easy and Perfect Like Grandma Made

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This classic homemade old fashioned meatloaf recipe delivers a moist, tender, and flavorful dish reminiscent of grandma’s cooking. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for family dinners with a tangy-sweet glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Finely chop one medium onion and mince two garlic cloves. Sauté them in a small pan with a splash of oil over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, cottage cheese, and milk. Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano if using.
  4. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent a dense meatloaf.
  5. Shape the mixture into a loaf in your prepared pan or on the baking sheet and pat it down evenly.
  6. In a small bowl, stir together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread this glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
  8. If the glaze browns too quickly, tent the meatloaf loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  9. Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to retain moisture. Cottage cheese is the secret ingredient for moistness. You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, adding extra milk or olive oil to prevent dryness. For gluten-free, use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Customize the glaze by adding hot sauce or smoked paprika for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, classic meatloaf, homemade meatloaf, old fashioned meatloaf, comfort food, family dinner, easy meatloaf recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/classic-homemade-old-fashioned-meatloaf-recipe-easy-and-perfect-like-grandma-made/