Joy of Cooking Meatloaf Recipe
The Joy of Cooking Meatloaf Recipe feels like a warm memory on a plate. I grew up eating meatloaf on busy nights. The smell meant dinner was close.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – 2 pounds
- Breadcrumbs – 1 cup
- Milk – 1 cup
- Egg – 1 large
- Onion – 1 medium chopped
- Garlic – 2 cloves minced
- Salt – 2 teaspoons
- Black pepper – 1 teaspoon
- Worcestershire sauce – 2 tablespoons
- Ketchup – ½ cup
- Mustard – 1 tablespoon
- Brown sugar – 2 tablespoons
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it heat fully before baking.
Soak the Breadcrumbs
- Place breadcrumbs in a bowl. Pour milk over them. Let them soak until soft.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- Add egg, Worcestershire sauce and mustard to the breadcrumb mixture. Stir gently.
Add Onion and Garlic
- Mix chopped onion and minced garlic into the bowl. Combine evenly.
Add the Meat
- Place ground beef into the bowl. Use clean hands to mix lightly.
Season the Mixture
- Add salt and black pepper. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
Shape the Loaf
- Place the meat mixture into a loaf pan. Shape gently without pressing hard.
Make the Topping
- Mix ketchup and brown sugar in a small bowl until smooth.
Spread the Topping
- Spread ketchup mixture evenly over the meatloaf surface.
Bake the Meatloaf
- Place loaf pan in oven. Bake for sixty minutes until cooked through.
Rest Before Serving
- Remove from oven. Let meatloaf rest ten minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use half beef and half pork for moisture
- Add grated carrot for softness
- Do not overmix the meat
- Use oats instead of breadcrumbs
- Add cheese for extra richness