This Classic Meatloaf comes out tender and juicy and the sweet and tangy barbecue glaze on top is the perfect combination of flavors. Everyone needs a go-to meatloaf recipe for weeknight dinners and this is it! 

Meatloaf is one of those dishes that so often gets mixed reviews. People seem to either love it or hate it. I didn’t grow up eating it and I don’t think I ever heard of it until I met my husband. (I was 19 -lol!) During one of his visits to see me he told my mom that it was one of his favorite meals and of course she hunted down a recipe and surprised him with it. 🙂 My mom is an amazing cook so I’m not sure if he was hinting for her to make him some or if she asked him what he enjoyed to eat, I can’t remember. Ha!! But the kind person that my mom is, she made him some every time he came to visit.  

Over the years I’ve jumped from recipe to recipe, not quite finding the one that I loved. I liked some but didn’t ‘love’ them, you know? I don’t even know where I got this recipe from, but I’ve been making it for years with a few slight changes. Serve it alongside fluffy mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes and roasted vegetables and this Classic Meatloaf makes the easiest and most delicious comfort meal out there! It may not look the prettiest but it tastes amazing. 😉

The ingredients are simple and are all pantry staples. Except for the ground beef, I generally have everything on hand.

Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds lean hamburger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup dried bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 2/3 cup milk

Sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (I use honey barbecue sauce)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a large loaf pan with nonstick spray.
2. Place all of the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl and mix with a large spoon or hands until fully combined.
3. Shape into a loaf and place into a well-greased loaf pan
4. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and pour half of the sauce over the meatloaf.
5. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and carefully add the rest of the sauce. Then return to the oven and bake for another 45 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees.
7. Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 8-10 minutes before serving (this will keep it from falling apart when you cut it).