Classic Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food. My family recipe is the best one I’ve ever enjoyed. It has a rich tomato paste (or tomato sauce) topping, flavoured with brown sugar, mustard and a bit of vinegar, for a perfect bit of tang.
In all my years of sharing recipes, I have yet to share my “family” meatloaf recipe. It doesn’t seem very glamorous or exciting, but it’s solid comfort food and definitely still comes around on the menu here when the mood strikes.
My version of classic meatloaf features a rich tomato sauce topping that is also added to the meatloaf itself, for an extra bit of flavour. It’s the best meatloaf, made without ketchup and without milk, too. It’s sure to become a regular in your house, too.
Ingredients and substitutions
A few notes about the key ingredients …
Ground Beef: There are basically three choices for ground beef here in Canada. Extra lean ground beef has a maximum of 10% fat, Lean ground beef has a maximum of 17% fat and Medium Ground Beef has a maximum of 23% fat. My preference is to use Lean Ground Beef for meatloaf, as it seems to have just enough fat for moistness and flavour, without having so much that the meatloaf is swimming in it :)
Tomato Paste or Tomato Sauce: You’ll just need one small can of tomato paste or tomato sauce for this one. I prefer tomato paste, but my daughter has always liked the tomato sauce one better. Try both and pick your favourite. You could also do half and half (and freeze the remainder of each can for another meatloaf another time).
Vinegar: You can use either Cider Vinegar or White Distilled Vinegar here. It’s really just a matter of personal taste. Try both and see which you prefer. The Cider Vinegar brings a little tangier/stronger vinegar taste to the sauce, while the white vinegar makes it more ketchup-like. I enjoy both, but probably prefer the white vinegar if forced to choose.
Soda Crackers: Aka “Saltines”. The crackers here are used as a bit of a binder to help hold the meatloaf together. I love that there isn’t a lot of binder in this meatloaf. I’ve never been a fan of super stiff, binder-heavy meatloaf. Less binder does make it a little softer, but there is definitely enough to make it sliceable. If for some reason, you want a stiffer meatloaf, increase the crackers a bit.
For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free rolled oats for the crackers. Simply process them lightly to break them up a bit and use in the same 1/4 cup quantity as for the crushed crackers.
If you don’t have soda crackers, you can add a couple of tablespoons of dried bread crumbs or even a slice of bread crumbled up.
How to make classic meatloaf
This is a visual summary of the steps to make this recipe. Always refer to the complete instructions in the recipe card below when making the recipe.
Start by lining a small baking sheet with aluminum foil. It makes clean-up super easy! Next, mix up the simply sauce, which is just tomato paste, prepared mustard, brown sugar and vinegar.
Mix together the ground beef, diced onion, egg and soda crackers. Season with a little salt and pepper. Then, add not quite half of the sauce to the ground beef mixture and stir it all together to combine.
Pour the ground beef mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet, then using your hands, shape into a free-form loaf shape. Try to keep the top flat, so the nice sauce will stay put there as it cooks. Spoon the rest of the sauce over-top of the loaf and use a spoon to “frost” it, keeping most of it on the top and maybe just a quick spread along the sides. Pop in a 350F oven for 1 hour and enjoy!
Recipe tips!
- One thing to note is that the salt on the crackers will add a bit of saltiness to the meatloaf and there is also salt in the tomato sauce. The amount will vary by brand, so it’s hard to judge exactly how much extra salt you need to add to the meat. I’ve settled on 1 tsp, which should be close. If you find that the finished meatloaf is a touch under-salted, you can always salt the finished meatloaf a bit. Easier to add than take away :)
- Meatloaf done at 160F internal temperature, when tested with an instant read thermometer. Remember that you’ve added some tomato sauce to the meat, so if you notice it “pink” looking, that may be the reason and not that it is not cooked. If you don’t have a thermometer, err on the side of leaving it in the oven longer, as you can’t really hurt it.
What to serve with classic meatloaf
I’m not sure there’s a side dish more suited to meatloaf than creamy mashed potatoes. Add a vegetable and you’re good to go.
Top Tip! Line your baking sheet completely with heavy-duty aluminum foil (or two layers of regular aluminum foil), for super easy clean-up.
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Get the Recipe: Easy Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup soda crackers, crushed (Saltines)
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
Sauce:
- 5.5 oz can tomato paste, (156 ml) or 13 oz/398ml tomato sauce *see Note 1 below
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup cider or white vinegar, I generally use white, but try both and see which one you prefer
- 1 tsp prepared yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. (not fan assisted) Cover a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil (or two layers of regular aluminum foil). Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, make the sauce by stirring together the sauce ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, crushed crackers and diced onion. Using a large spoon, stir to combine well. Add a little less than 1/2 of the prepared sauce to the beef mixture. Stir to combine well.
- Drop big spoonfuls of the ground beef mixture into a rough log shape in the centre of the prepared baking pan. Using your hands, shape into a loaf shape about 2-3 inches high x 3 inches wide x 10-12 inches long. Try to keep the top of the loaf flat, so the sauce will stay on the top as it cooks. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top, along the length of the meatloaf. Use a spoon to spread over the top, trying to keep most of it on top. Spread a bit along the sides.
- Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the meat registers 160F when tested with an instant read thermometer. Allow to rest several minutes before cutting. Serve garnished with parsley or Parmesan, if desired. Great served with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable.
Notes
More ground beef recipes to love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
I’ve tried so many meatloaf recipes and FINALLY found the one I love best. I like the combination of tomato paste & tomato sauce. I didn’t have vinegar so added lemon juice and chopped green pepper. So moist and delicious. Thank you so much!
I’m so pleased you are enjoying it, Sylvia :) Thanks so much!
I made this a few weeks ago and is now my go to meatloaf recipe the flavor is amazing and I will be making my meatloaf this way for now on.
So glad to hear, Matthew. Thanks so much!
Do you cover it while baking?
Hi Sheila and no, cook it uncovered.
Thank you for this recipe! My whole family devoured it and it was so easy.
So glad to hear, Brie :) Thanks so much!
Super awesome! Tried this with muffin tins (Meatloaf Muffins) and it’s much easier to portion and serve. Yummy!
So glad you enjoyed it, Bella :) I like to make them as muffins once in a while, too (though I hate cleaning the muffin tin after!). Thanks so much!
Made this last night and it was amazing! I think it was the best meatloaf I have ever made. I love all your recipes! You have never let me down.
Keep it up! Love this site!
Thank you so much!
Cathy
So glad to hear, Cathy! Thanks so much :)
It’s been ages since I made or had meatloaf! This is making me want to change that immediately! You are so right – meatloaf is definitely a classic comfort food and yours looks perfectly cozy and delicious! I love love love that rich tomato topping! Cant wait to try this!!
Thanks Cheyanne!
I haven’t had meatloaf in such a long time so this is a great reminder that I need to have soon. Nothing like a classic and this one looks awesome, Jennifer! Perfect cold weather comfort food!
Thanks so much, Dawn :)
Sounds like something my husband would LOVE! Such a great recipe for this time of year. Perfect comfort food ;)
Thanks Tricia and yes, it’s a favourite of the men in my household, too :)
It looks scrumptious! My kind of comfort food for sure, I won’t even require a side … just a fork and a glass of beer:)
Sounds good to me! Thanks Milena :)
One of our favorites Jennifer. A simple meal, but it never disappoints. Delicious! Pinned!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann :)
When I first got married, I used to make meatloaf all the time! It was my husband’s favourite. I haven’t made it in years. Your recipe has reminded me how delicious and comforting a meal it is! I’ll need to give this one a try some time soon!
Thanks Leanne! We don’t have meatloaf as often as we used to, but my son requests it every time he visits, so it’s definitely still on the menu here :)