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Half a cooked meatloaf in a red loaf tin with two slices cut from it.
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5 / 7 votes

Homemade Meatloaf

This homemade meatloaf has the best comforting flavor and bread crumbs and easy sticky-sweet glaze that you remember from childhood but it feels all grown-up thanks to the addition of bacon and caramelized vegetables.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Calories: 966

Ingredients

For the meatloaf

  • 2 bacon slices, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, cut into small dice
  • 1 large celery rib, cut into small dice
  • 1/2 medium (3 oz) onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup store-bought or homemade ketchup
  • 2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt

For the glaze

  • 1/4 cup store-bought or homemade ketchup
  • 1/4 cup sorghum syrup or molasses (do NOT use blackstrap molasses)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
US - Metric

Instructions

Make the meatloaf

  • In a large heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium-low heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until it crisps, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the ketchup, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the vegetables are completely tender, 10 to 15 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl and let the vegetables cool completely.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, and bread crumbs.
  • In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and salt until smooth. Pour over the meat. Add the cooled vegetables and use your hands or a rubber spatula to mix everything together.
  • Gently press the meatloaf into a 9-by-5-by-3-inch (23-by-13-by-8-cm) loaf pan.

Make the glaze

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, sorghum syrup or molasses, vinegar, and salt. Taste and, if desired, adjust the ingredients accordingly. Reserve 3 tablespoons for brushing over the finished meatloaf.
  • Brush some of the glaze over the meatloaf and bake for 30 minutes. Brush with the glaze again, rotate the pan, and bake for 15 minutes more. Brush with the glaze again, rotate the pan, and bake until cooked through, and the internal temperature registers 160°F (71°C), 15 to 30 minutes more.
  • Remove from the oven and, if desired, pour off any fat. Brush the meatloaf with a final coat of the reserved glaze and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Originally published March 25, 2020.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 966kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 88g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 360mg | Sodium: 2129mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g