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Easy Recipes for Everyone

The Best Homemade Meatloaf

Home » Meals » Dinner » The Best Homemade Meatloaf

Published June 6, 2020 by Jennifer. 2 Comments.
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SImply the most flavorful meatloaf recipe I have ever tasted. A tried and true recipe we've made for decades.
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
3.88 from 16 votes
Sliced homemade meatloaf
This is literally the best meatloaf recipe you're ever going to taste, and it's one our family has passed down for generations. It's made with ground beef, brown sugar, bell pepper, onion, crushed crackers, and more. It's our favorite thick and hearty meatloaf recipe and one that the entire family consumes in record time.This is literally the best meatloaf recipe you're ever going to taste, and it's one our family has passed down for generations. It's made with ground beef, brown sugar, bell pepper, onion, crushed crackers, and more. It's our favorite thick and hearty meatloaf recipe and one that the entire family consumes in record time.This is literally the best meatloaf recipe you're ever going to taste, and it's one our family has passed down for generations. It's made with ground beef, brown sugar, bell pepper, onion, crushed crackers, and more. It's our favorite thick and hearty meatloaf recipe and one that the entire family consumes in record time.

This is literally the best meatloaf recipe you’re ever going to taste. It’s made with ground beef, brown sugar, bell pepper, onion, crushed crackers, and more. It’s our favorite thick and hearty meatloaf recipe and one that the family consumes quickly! If you’re looking for something quicker, you can always make this Instant Pot Meatloaf. It’s the same recipe, but finished faster!

Simply the best homemade meatloaf recipe, sliced and ready to serve.

Every time that someone says that they’re not a fan of meatloaf, I immediately know that it means that they just haven’t tried this meatloaf recipe with crackers yet. Because once they do, it’s a total game-changer on how meatloaf is viewed.

This southern meatloaf recipe will have you scraping the plate to make certain that you’re getting every last little morsel…and trust me on this…there will be no judgment coming from me!

Sliced meatloaf ready to serve.

THE BEST HOMEMADE MEATLOAF

The secret to this recipe that takes it over the top is the crushed saltine crackers that are added in. They add such a great flavor and it’s fun to have people guess as to why they “think” that this meatloaf recipe is better than any of the other ones that they’ve ever tried.

Make certain that you make this as often as you can because it’s one of those dishes that you’re going to crave. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, it somehow just keeps tasting better and better!

Are you in a rush? Scroll down to the bottom of this page and grab the full printable recipe card. It has all of our tips and tricks and notes for this recipe. If you’re not in a rush, then definitely keep reading!

Thick and hearty sliced meatloaf.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

Don’t worry, all the ingredients that you’re going to use are simple and easy to find or you might even have them already all on hand!

  • Lean ground beef
  • Ketchup
  • Brown sugar
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Salt
  • Oregano
  • Ground black pepper
  • Onion
  • Green bell pepper
  • Crushed saltine crackers
Ingredients to make a homemade meatloaf recipe.

Step by Step Recipe for Meatloaf

Best Meatloaf

Beast Meatloaf Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Press the brown sugar into the bottom of the pan. 

Brown sugar pressed into the bottom of a meatloaf pan.

Mix the meat, eggs, onion, peppers, seasoning, crackers, and milk. 

Lightly pack the pan with the meatloaf mixture. 

Meatloaf lightly packed and ready to bake.

Add the ketchup glaze to the meatloaf. 

Bake uncovered for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until juices run clear. 

Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Freshly baked meatloaf cooling before being sliced for serving.

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If you have any other fun recipe ideas for this meatloaf recipe, leave it below in the comments. We’re always looking for feedback or great ideas for all of you! 

Sliced meatloaf with mashed potatoes and ready to serve.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

If you love this easy southern meatloaf recipe as much as we do, you might also enjoy these other recipes, too! 

  • Instant Mashed Potatoes
  • Keto Crock Pot Recipes
  • Oved Baked Green Beans

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Make sure you click on the social media share buttons and share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest. If you make this recipe and have Instagram, make sure to tag us at @pinkwhenjen. We love to see it when our readers make our recipes! 

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Sliced homemade meatloaf
Review Recipe
3.88 from 16 votes
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The Best Meatloaf Recipe

SImply the most flavorful meatloaf recipe I have ever tasted. A tried and true recipe we've made for decades.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 354kcal
Author Jennifer West

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3/4 cup crushed saltine crackers

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  • Press the brown sugar into the bottom of the pan. 
  • Mix the meat, eggs, onion, peppers, seasoning, crackers, and milk. 
  • Lightly pack the pan with the meatloaf mixture. 
  • Add the ketchup glaze to the meatloaf. Bake uncovered for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until juices run clear. 
  • Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Notes

  1. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 
  2. Best served with mashed potatoes and green beans for the complete meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 1148mg | Potassium: 652mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 371IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 4mg
**Nutrition facts are based on my best estimation for this recipe. They may not be accurate depending on what brands you use or modifications you might make to the recipe. For most accurate calculations, I recommend using a nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you use with the recipe.
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June 6, 2020 · 2 Comments

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Do you feel like there is not enough time in the day? I'm with you. Hi! I'm Jen, a wife, mother, and tennis lover who likes to share all of my quick easy recipes, crafts, and more. You can find anything from delicious 30-minute dinners or scrumptious dessert recipes the whole family will love. Read more...

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