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This Simple Meatloaf recipe is just that: simple, easy, and delicious. It is the best meatloaf recipe you can make without adding tons of different ingredients.
When you make this easy meatloaf recipe you can enjoy a simple beef dinner recipe that the whole family can enjoy, and will soon become a family favorite.
Meatloaf truly is the ultimate comfort food especially when you pair the best classic meatloaf recipe with some creamy mashed potatoes and green beans.
Want to skip the box? Click here for the best homemade stuffing that works in this recipe.
Let’s take stuffing way beyond Thanksgiving. Let’s get cooking.
Ingredients for the Simple Meatloaf:
- Protein: I like to use 80/20 ground beef or leaner if that is what you have on hand
- Stuffing: you will need a box of Stove Top stuffing, I like to use savory herbs flavor for the best results
- Eggs: you will need large eggs to help combine everything together and add flavor
- Milk: use whole milk or what you have on hand should work
- Sauce: you will need both Worcestershire sauce and ketchup, which is a great addition to meatloaf and for the tangy glaze on top
- Sugar: brown sugar is essential to making the meatloaf glaze
How to make the Simple Meatloaf:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl add the ground beef, stuffing mix, eggs, milk, and 1/4 cup of the ketchup. Mix the ingredients together.
To a small mixing bowl combine the remaining ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Grease a bread loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Add the meatloaf mixture to the pan and form it into a loaf. Spread the ketchup sauce mixture all over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake for 40-60 minutes or until the center of the meatloaf is cooked. Enjoy!
How to store leftover meatloaf:
Fridge: Either wrap the meatloaf in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or place it into an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Tips and tricks for making great meatloaf:
Meat to use:
I like to use 80/20 ground meat over lean ground beef since the fat from the meat will give the meat mixture great flavor. However, you can use ground turkey in place of the ground beef.
Seasonings to add:
One of the great things about using the stuffing mixture is that it has a lot of flavor added already. But if you use plain panko breadcrumbs or plain stuffing feel free to add in either garlic powder, onion powder, salt, or black pepper.
How to shape traditional meatloaf recipes:
There are two great ways to make a good meatloaf. Place the ground beef mixture into a meatloaf pan or baking dish. Another way to cook meatloaf is to use a sheet pan and create a free-form loaf on a piece of parchment paper.
Side dish recipes to serve with meatloaf:
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Doritos Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
- Parmesan Zucchini Skillet
- Corn Casserole
Simple Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- Loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, I use 80/20 or leaner
- 1 – 6oz box stove top stuffing, I use savory herbs flavor
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp milk
- 3/4 cup ketchup, divided
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F.
- In a large bowl add the ground beef, stuffing mix, eggs, milk, and 1/4 cup of the ketchup. Mix the ingredients together.
- To a small mixing bowl combine the remaining ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Grease a bread loaf pan with non-stick spray.
- Add the meatloaf mixture to the pan and form it into a loaf. Spread the ketchup sauce mixture all over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 40-60 minutes or until the center of the meatloaf is cooked. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Quick links for making dinner easy:
- Family meal plans
- Tools for the kitchen and more
- The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
- FREE budget meal plan
- Cooking videos to watch
If you give these recipes a try, make sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you liked the recipes!
I absolutely loved this! I just used 1/2 box of the savory stuffing and 1 lb. of ground beef. I cooked it for 30 min then added ketchup and cooked an additional 10 min. It was delicious!
I just made this tonight because I had all the ingredients on hand. Stove Top packages in Canada are 120 g, which is 4 oz., so I used two packages. It was a pleasant delicious surprise. I’m sure that it will fall into the meal rotation. Thanks.
Julia – this is my go-to meatloaf recipe! So easy and delicious. Usually have the ingredients on hand…Love to you and your family!
Best meatloaf I have ever had! Thanks for such an easy, delicious, minimal ingredient dinner
Delicious. The ketchup topping was great, too, with no burning /over browning. Mine took about 65 minutes for the center to reach 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer. I lined my pan with foil for easier cleanup. The Savory Herbs stuffing mix has the seasoning and bread cubes in a single packet, so “yes” to the first commenter — it all goes in with the meat. I resized the recipe for 1 pound of ground beef. I poured the entire packet of stuffing mix into a clean bowl first and stirred it a little to evenly distribute the seasoning, then returned a heaping 3/4 C. of the dry mixture to the packet for use in another dish or as a side. The rest (about 1 3/4 C. of dry mixture) added terrific flavor to the meatloaf. Other measurements for 1 pound of beef: 1 egg, 2 T. milk, 3 T. ketchup in the meatloaf. Topping: 1/3 C ketchup, 3 T. brown sugar, 2 tsp. W. sauce.
Hey Julie! Do you also add the seasoning packet from the box of stuffing, or just the stuffing by itself? Thanks!