Grandma's Hearty Beef Meatloaf
A comforting, slow-cooked meatloaf with a tangy tomato glaze, made with a blend of ground beef and pork for rich, old-fashioned flavor. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup, finely diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup finely diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix gently with hands until just combined.
- Step 2: Transfer mixture to a 9x5-inch loaf pan lined with parchment, pressing firmly to compact; smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 3: Whisk 1/4 cup tomato sauce and 1 tbsp brown sugar in a small bowl; brush evenly over the meatloaf surface.
- Step 4: Bake for 50-55 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F and glaze is bubbly and golden.
- Step 5: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grandma's Hearty Beef Meatloaf take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grandma's Hearty Beef Meatloaf?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grandma's Hearty Beef Meatloaf?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grandma's Hearty Beef Meatloaf for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grandma's Hearty Beef Meatloaf?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
