Lincoln's Legacy Meatloaf
A Southern-inspired meatloaf featuring cornbread crumbles and a sweet-tangy glaze, honoring Decatur's heritage with a comforting, crowd-pleasing twist. This american-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground beef, cornbread crumbles, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 cup cornbread crumbles
- 1/2 cup, finely diced onion
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup cornbread crumbles, 1/2 cup diced onion, 1 large egg, 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika. Mix with hands until just combined.
- Step 3: Press mixture evenly into the prepared loaf pan using a spoon to shape into a loaf.
- Step 4: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Step 5: While meatloaf bakes, mix 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a small bowl for glaze.
- Step 6: Brush glaze over meatloaf, return to oven for 5 minutes to set.
- Step 7: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lincoln's Legacy Meatloaf take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Lincoln's Legacy 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 Lincoln's Legacy 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 Lincoln's Legacy 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 Lincoln's Legacy Meatloaf?
American beef 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
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this lincoln's are incredible.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
