Smith's Classic American Meatloaf
A hearty, savory meatloaf with a sweet-tangy glaze, featuring the most common surname in America. Perfect for family dinners with tender beef and pork blend. This american-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, white bread 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 slice white bread
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, soak the bread slice in milk for 5 minutes until softened, then squeeze out excess liquid.
- Step 2: Combine soaked bread, ground beef, ground pork, diced onion, minced garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix gently with hands until just combined—do not overmix.
- Step 3: Press mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F and the surface is golden brown.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Classic American Meatloaf take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Smith's Classic American 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 Smith's Classic American 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 Smith's Classic American 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 Smith's Classic American 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
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
