Meatloaf is a recipe that everyone should know how to make! Mom’s Classic Meatloaf is just that…. THE BEST! Comfort food at its finest!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Believe it or not, one of my favorite recipes growing up was mom’s meatloaf. Perfectly moist, packed with flavor, and the one meal I requested for my birthday dinner! Each year, my mom would make my brother and I whichever meal we wanted for our birthdays, and this tasty dish was my go-to. Served with mashed potatoes and a veggie, I would be one happy girl!
Mom’s Classic Meatloaf is a family favorite recipe that has the best flavor! This meatloaf recipe is easy to make, holds together, and has an incredible glaze on top!
My dad and brother weren’t fans of meatloaf, so they didn’t particularly love my birthday choice each year, ha-ha!
A few months back, my mom tweaked her go to meatloaf recipe and it’s even better (didn’t know that was even possible)! The ketchup sauce she covers it with is one of my favorite parts about this! Even my dad enjoys it nowadays!!
Now that I have a family of my own, it’s fun cooking dishes I loved as a kid. My three kids enjoy meatloaf and scrape their plates clean each time this is served!
This dish is classic comfort food at its finest! So many different varieties out there, but this one is a must try! If you’re looking for a hearty meal to serve your family, look no further!
Plus, isn’t mom’s cooking always a winner?!?!
Check out these other great recipes:
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
BEST EVER Mom’s Herbed Beer Bread
Ingredients Needed for Mom’s Classic Meatloaf:
- Ground Beef
- Quick Oats
- Milk
- Egg
- Onion
- Salt/Pepper
- Ketchup
- Brown Sugar
- Mustard
How to prepare:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, oats, milk, egg, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer mixture to a loaf pan and press meat mixture evenly into pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
- Spread mixture evenly on top of meat mixture.
- Place pan in preheated oven, 350 degrees, and bake for about 75 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to set up for a few minutes before serving!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Mom's Classic Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 3/4 cup quick oats
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 4 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine the beef, oats, milk, egg, onion, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to incorporate everything.
- Transfer meat mixture into a loaf pan and press down evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
- Pour mixture evenly on top of meatloaf.
- Place pan into preheated oven and cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes (keep an eye on it as oven temps vary).
- Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving! Enjoy!
Kathi
What type of mustard are you using in your recipe? Yellow, poupon, dried mustard spice?
Kristin
I use yellow mustard, however, we have also used Dijon and its been great! Enjoy!
Kathi
Thank you very much for such a quick reply. I will be making it this week.
Kristin
Be sure to keep me posted what you think!!
Mary Beth
Excellent recipe and I will use it from now on. Thank you and I enjoy all your posts.
Kristin
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed and love hearing that you enjoy the recipes!!
Barbara Smith
I am going to try this meatloaf tonight. thanks
Kristin
Yay! Keep me posted what you think! It is a favorite in my house! Comfort food at its finest!
Sharyn
Your mom’s meatloaf recipe is the same exact recipe as my mom’s, right down to the ketchup sauce on top. I can safely say I have been enjoying this meatloaf since the 1950s. Everyone, give this recipe a try, you will be glad you did.
Kristin
Awww, love that! It is definitely a classic family recipe! That sauce may just go down as my fav part!!
Mysti
I have made this meatloaf for years and throw in a cup of shredded cheese when lots of kids around. I make mini loaves on rimmed cookie sheet, same temp about an hour.
Kristin
Oh, I love that idea! What a great addition!! Thanks for sharing, I will need to try that too!!
Cindy
Meatloaf is my most favorite meal. I use Italian breadcrumbs and also put a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Yummy!
Kristin
Sounds delicious too! It is definitely my fav! Such tasty comfort food!
Jerry Bollfrass
Definitely going to make this. Love meatloaf. Thanks.
Kristin
Yay! Keep me posted what you think! This meatloaf is a family fav!!
Kathie Weatherford
Does anyone know the calorie count?
Kristin
Just updated the recipe card to show nutritional value! Enjoy!
Kevbeaux
Years ago, my cousin gave my mother her recipe for meatloaf, which I as a teen, begged my Mom to get it. Mom made her meatloaf with oats too. It was ok, but just ok? She made my cousin’s and it tasted like Moms same old meatloaf. I found out years ago that my cousin made her topping with. Del Monte Ketchup and Mom made hers with Tomato sauce. The recipe hadn’t mentioned the topping. The sugar and spices in Ketchup made all the differences. Making yours soonest!
Kristin
Hope you enjoy this version!! The topping is my favorite part! Keep me posted!
Jennifer Svoboda
Peggy Dodge, try this pan. https://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray-47364-Bakeware-Meatloaf/dp/B07F7V6X6L/ref=psdc_289677_t1_B00QXGQ716
I have her older version that I LOVE!!!
Linda Brown
I make my meatloaf similar to yours.
My Dad’s favorite meal. With tomato gravy using the grease from the meatloaf. It’s to die for !
Kristin
Oh yum!! I love meatloaf, definitely one of my favorite dinners!
Roxy
Exactly the same as my mom’s recipe except for the ketchup on top. It’s a favorite of my oldest grandchildren, in fact the first recipe requested when they moved away from my house. Wonderful sliced for sandwiches the next day, assuming there’s anything left over.
Kristin
Oh yes, leftovers (if any) are always just as yummy!! Its a favorite of mine for sure!!
Kathryn
If you use regular oatmeal….soak it for an hour in the milk first.
Kristin
Good tip, thanks!!
Alice
Could you use panko bread crumbs instead of the oats? If you don’t have quick cook oats, could you use regular?
Kristin
You can definitely use breadcrumbs and regular oats in lieu of the quick oats! It simply helps hold it together to bake! Breadcrumbs are a better option! Enjoy!
Susan G.
Oh and one more thing…I use a meatloaf pan so there is no need to worry about grease.
Kristin
What a great idea!
Susan G.
So…I just recently discovered your site and made your delicious Mayonnaise Banana Bread and was thrilled with the results. Today I was thinking…I think meatloaf really sounds good so once again I came to your site and…there it was…a meatloaf recipe. Well why not so I mixed up this very simple recipe and yet again you have given a simply great and simple recipe. I made it exactly as you have it and it is jus awesome. So once I cleaned the sauce off my mouth….I ran a couple of slices over to an elderly friend of mine and she too loved it and said she hoped I made it again soon.
I got to thinking you must have an arsenal of recipes so I subscribed to your website in hope of finding other good stuff!!!
Thanks again for the meatloaf recipe…it is so good.
Kristin
Wow, what a sweet comment! I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed the banana bread and meatloaf. The meatloaf is my mom’s recipe, so she’ll be happy to hear it was a hit! I am so glad you subscribed to my site, you’ll receive the latest recipes directly in your email.
Enjoy and have a wonderful Sunday!
Lori
I place white loaf bread slices in the bottom of my meatloaf pan…soaks up the grease.
Kristin
Oooo, great idea!
Peggy Dodge
For the hamburger do you use 70-30 80-20. I Love meatloaf but I always end up with way to much grease . Any advice for me?
Kristin
Typically, I use 80/20, but I have used the 70/30 and its turned out great as well! Start with the 80/20 and see what you think! My family loves it and its never too greasy!
Mikegoodman
Next time your mother makes it. Invite me. I love meatloaf. It be a joy to say happy birthday. Amen.
Kristin
Hehe, deal! Meatloaf is a favorite of mine, so hopefully soon she’ll make it again!
Richard
Great receipe. Makes a super good main course. Thank you.
Kristin
Thanks! Glad you enjoy! It sure makes a tasty main course indeed!
Susan Florin
I love meat loaf thanks for the recipe . I will be happy 😃 to try it.
Kristin
Be sure to let me know what you think of it! Its a favorite of mine!!