Try this easy best homemade meatloaf recipe for a delicious and simple weeknight meal. Made with sourdough breadcrumbs and topped with a tangy glaze, this recipe will be sure to become a family favorite.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
With a family of 10, I love recipes that can easily feed a crowd, yet are simple to throw together. Over the years, I have developed many go-to dinners that fit into the category.
I’ve been in the process of adding many of these recipes to the blog to share with all of you. Next up is this classic meatloaf recipe.
Full of protein, I know this hearty meal will nourish my family, especially when served with a side of veggies or even homemade sauerkraut.
Meatloaf is a crowd pleaser at my table, and it is so simple to make. Plus, I add in a little secret ingredient: homemade sourdough breadcrumbs!
While you do not have to use sourdough breadcrumbs, I think you’ll be surprised at how much flavor they add to the dish.
Regardless, with just a short list of ingredients you likely already have on hand, this meal comes together fairly quickly without a ton of dishes to do after. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as mine does!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Feeds a crowd – If you need to feed a lot of people, this recipe is for you. You will get approximately 8 servings with this recipe as is. However, you can always double the recipe for more if needed.
It’s the ultimate comfort food – To me, meatloaf reminds me of being a kid. It’s the definition of a comfort food, especially when served with creamy mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.
Make it your own – Recipes like this are great because you can adjust and add ingredients to fit your tastes. Add in a little garlic powder or herbs (Italian seasoning would be good!) if you want to take the flavor up a notch. Like spicy food? Add in a little hot sauce to your glaze.
Ingredients
Ketchup – This can be store bought or you can try your hand at making homemade fermented ketchup. So much more flavor!
Sourdough breadcrumbs – Alternatively, you can use panko breadcrumbs, but I love the additional flavor sourdough adds to this recipe. New to sourdough? Learn how to make a sourdough starter here.
Ground beef – You can use lean ground beef in this recipe. Somewhere around 80% to 90% is fine.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Meatloaf
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Whisk the eggs, ketchup, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and onion in a large bowl until combined. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef and use your hands to carefully mix until everything is incorporated. Be careful to not over mix.
In another mixing bowl, whisk together all of the topping ingredients until combined.
Place the meatloaf mixture into a 9”x 5” loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, then spread the ketchup mixture over the top, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips
- After removing the meatloaf from the oven, allow it to rest and cool for 10 minutes. This will help it stay together better once cut.
- I use my sourdough bread crumbs in this recipe. Of course, you can use store bought or regular yeast bread crumbs. As always, though, the sourdough gives this dish an additional boost of flavor you just can’t get otherwise.
- To make removing the meatloaf from the loaf pan easier, line it with parchment paper and leave flaps on two sides that you can easily grab. Just be careful — it will be hot!
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
You can freeze both uncooked and baked meatloaf. To freeze before baking, form into a loaf shape and wrap the meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
To freeze after baking, you can also wrap in plastic wrap and freeze as a whole. Alternatively, you can slice leftovers, flash freeze the individual slices on a baking sheet, and then add to a freezer safe bag for longer storage.
How to Serve
For most of our meals at the farmhouse, I try to serve a protein, veggie, and carb. Green veggies like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus go great with meatloaf.
You can’t go wrong with serving this with mashed potatoes or mac and cheese, too.
If you end up with any leftovers, a meatloaf sandwich on sourdough sandwich bread makes for a delicious lunch.
Recipe FAQs
Cook meatloaf uncovered. If you feel like it is getting too dark on top, you can always place a piece of foil over the top to prevent burning.
The eggs and breadcrumbs are the key ingredients to ensure your meatloaf stays together and doesn’t crumble.
This is really a personal preference. I like to use a loaf pan to help keep the juices contained and for easier clean up. If you want crisper edges, a sheet pan may be a better option for you. Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
More Recipes from the Farmhouse
- Easy Ground Beef Pot Pie From Scratch
- Homemade Sourdough Calzone Recipe
- Sourdough Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
- Sausage Meatball Recipe
- Sourdough Irish Soda Bread
- Sourdough Garlic Knots
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone
The Best Homemade Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9" by 5" Loaf Pan
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¾ cup sourdough breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 pounds ground beef
Topping
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Whisk the eggs, ketchup, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and onion in a large mixing bowl until combined. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and use your hands to carefully mix until everything is incorporated. Be careful to not overmix.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together all of the topping ingredients until combined.
- Place the meat mixture into a 9”x 5” loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, then spread the ketchup mixture over the top, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
- Let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Need Help Meal Planning?
This is one of my many go-to dinner recipes at the farmhouse. I know meals can quickly become monotonous, especially when life gets busy.
That’s why I took some of my favorite recipes and put them into month-long meal plans. Each of my meal plans include shopping lists, bread and condiment recipes, and detailed prep notes.
You can now get all three of meal plans:
🍳 28 Day Breakfast Meal Plan
🍂 4 Week Fall Meal Plan
☀️ 4 Week Summer Meal Plan
All for just $15 (a $27 value).
No milk ? I cook my onion before mixing.
My 4 year old loved it so much that he had 3 helpings!
That is great to hear!
I love meatloaf. I saute the diced onions in a tbls. of olive oil and if I have some spinach, I saute a little with the onion to add extra flavor and nutrition. I free-form my loaf on the top part of a broiler tray so that any grease will fall through the holes on the foil-lined pan below. I also spray the top tray so there’s little clean-up. My loaf is large enough to share with my son and DIL, and I freeze my leftovers in portion sizes.
Best tasting meat long
Wonderful!
I can’t wait to make this.I have problems keeping my meatloaf together.
Good luck! Hope you love it.
This is similar to how I make my meatloaf but I will use your recipe for the sauce topping!
Easy and a crowd pleaser!
Do you think it would still work without the ketchup? Or do you have any ideas for a substitute? I am sensitive to tomatoes. Thanks so much!
It works best with ketchup! You could try adding another condiment or sauce on top and tell me how that goes. 🙂
Can I omit the bread crumbs or replace with something else? (Dairy, gluten, and soy free over here).
You could omit them or use gluten free bread crumbs.
Lisa, what would you add in place of the eggs? My son has an egg allergy.