Perfect comfort food at its best juicy, delicious, and topped with a sweet and tangy sauce that caramelizes brilliantly in the oven this classic Meatloaf Recipe with Onion Soup Mix . While the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings highlight the best in the beef, the sautéed onions provide a hint of sweetener and richness. This meatloaf will become a family favorite, whether topped with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a side of garlic bread!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Juicy and Flavorful
Every mouthful of sautéed onions, garlic, and spices is great.
Simple to Make
The oven does the rest; just 15 minutes of prep!
Well-Balanced Glaze
A sweet, sour, and somewhat smokey glaze offers a great finishing touch.
Perfect for Leftovers
It tastes even better the next day hey, meatloaf sandwiches!
Ingredients For the Meatloaf
For the Meatloaf
- Ground beef (80/20) is the ideal mix of fat for a luscious meatloaf.
- Little onion, finely chopped, adds natural richness and sweetness.
- A requirement for a rich, savory taste is garlic minced.
- Egg : Binds everything together.
- Keeps the meatloaf moist and maintains its form from breadcrumbs.
- Milk softens the breadcrumbs toward a sensitive texture.
- Adding umami and improving the meaty taste, Worcestershire Sauce.
- Classic flavors for balancing include salt and black pepper.
- Dried thyme has an earthy, herby taste.
- Smoked Paprika: A dash of smokiness to intensify the taste.
- Olive oil was used sautéing the onions.
For the Glaze
- Classic sweet tomato base: ketchup.
- Brown sugar slightly caramelizes the glaze to improve its gloss.
- Apple cider vinegar brings a sour contrast to counter the sweetness.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Classic Meatloaf Made with Onions
Step 1: Heat the Oven First
Make your oven 350°F (175°C). Drizzle a loaf pan or line with parchment paper, just lightly greasing.
Second Step: Sauté the Onions
Over medium heat, warm olive oil in a little pan. Add chopped onions; sauté for five to seven minutes until softened and somewhat caramelized. Before including the meat mixture, let them cool somewhat.
Third Step: Get Ready the Meatloaf Mix
Combine ground beef in a big mixing bowl, sautéed onions, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and smoky paprika. Till barely incorporated, blend everything; avoid overmixing to prevent the meatloaf from getting dense.
Fourth Step: Mold the Loaf
Form the mixture loaf-style, then slide it into the ready loaf pan.
Step 5: Create the Glaze
Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar smoothly in a small bowl.
Step 6: Cook the Meatloaf
Drizzle the meatloaf top liberally with glaze. Bake until the internal temperature comes up to 160°F (71°C), 45 to 55 minutes.
Step 7: Allow it to Rest & Present
Take the meatloaf out of the oven, rest for five to ten minutes, then cut. This preserves its fluids. Present warm with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
Expert Advice for the Perfect Meatloaf
Tips for Success
- Use 80/20 ground beef; a proper fat balance guarantees a delicious meatloaf.
- First, sauté the onions; this adds flavor to the meatloaf and helps avoid raw onion bits.
- Let it rest before slicing; this traps moisture and helps it not to break apart.
- For a soft texture, stir until incorporated; do not overmix the meat.
- Like a glazing that is crispier? At the end, broil for two to three minutes and brush more glaze on top.
How Should One Present ?
Serving Suggestions
- The perfect comfort-food pairing is mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Roasted veggies could include green beans, Brussels sprouts, or carrots.
- Perfect for soaking up the wonderful glaze is garlic bread.
- A cool change from the heavy meatloaf is coleslaw, sometimes a side salad.
Create Ahead and Storage
Leftover Storage
Store leftover meatloaf refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.
Freeze
Tightly wrap cooked or raw meatloaf with foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for three months at most. Before baking or reheating, thaw under refrigeration overnight.
Reheat
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 15 minutes until heated. Heat in 30-second intervals, adjusting for doneness in a microwave.
Don’t forget to explore complementary dishes like our Maryland Crab Soup Recipe or try our Chicken and Dressing Recipe for your next dinner inspiration.
Questions
1. Could I use ground turkey for beef?
Surely! You could use ground turkey or chicken, but you might have to add extra moisture, such as milk or a slothful of broth.
2. Besides breadcrumbs, what else might I use?
Substitute crumbled crackers, panko, rolled oats, and almond flour for a low-carb variation.
3. Could I instead create miniature meatloaves?
Form smaller pieces and bake for roughly 25 minutes in a muffin tray set at 375°F (190°C).
4. When will my meatloaf be done?
Invest in a meat thermometer; the middle should show 160°F (71°C). Slice in the middle and look for no pink left if you lack a thermometer.
Conclusion
With its sweet and sour glaze, this traditional meatloaf with onions is soft, juicy, and tasteful. This recipe is simple to prepare and always filling, whether for a weekly meal prep or a nice family evening. Enjoy! 😋. 🍖
Meatloaf with Onion
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
- Mixing Bowl
- Small Frying Pan
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef 80/20 for best flavor
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sautéing onion
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a small pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, sautéed onions, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix until just combined (don’t overwork the meat).
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it into the prepared loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until smooth.
- Brush the glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.