Mama's Sweet-Tangy Meatloaf
A comforting family classic featuring a beef-pork blend with a caramelized tomato glaze, embodying the heart of American home cooking. This american-inspired beef ready in about 85 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs 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 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
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 breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, mixing gently with hands until just combined.
- Step 2: Press mixture firmly into a 9x5-inch loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Whisk 1/4 cup tomato sauce with 1 tbsp ketchup and 1/2 tsp salt in a small bowl.
- Step 3: Brush the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the meatloaf. Bake for 55-65 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F and edges are golden brown.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 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 Mama's Sweet-Tangy Meatloaf take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (25 min prep + 60 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 Mama's Sweet-Tangy 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 Mama's Sweet-Tangy 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 Mama's Sweet-Tangy 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 Mama's Sweet-Tangy 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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many beef recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
