Moist Meatloaf Recipe

This isn’t just any meatloaf – it’s a perfectly seasoned, incredibly moist version that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. The secret? A perfect balance of ingredients and a special glaze that caramelizes beautifully on top.

What makes this recipe stand out is the combination of Italian seasonings, tender sautéed onions, and a tangy-sweet glaze that creates an irresistible crust. Each slice is tender enough to melt in your mouth while still holding its shape perfectly on your plate.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

• ½ medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• ¾ cup Italian bread crumbs
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Glaze:

• ½ cup chili sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Sauté onions in butter over medium-low heat until soft and translucent. Cool completely.
3. Mix eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs in a bowl. Let stand 5-10 minutes.
4. Combine ground beef, cooled onions, 1 tablespoon ketchup, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper with the breadcrumb mixture.
5. Shape into an 8″x4″ loaf on the prepared pan. Bake 40 minutes.
6. Mix glaze ingredients and spread over meatloaf. Bake 15-30 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
7. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Smart Swaps

• Use ground turkey instead of beef (reduce cooking time by 5 minutes)
• Replace breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds for low-carb version
• Substitute almond milk for regular milk to reduce calories

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace breadcrumbs with 1 cup almond flour (reduces carbs by 24g per serving)
• Use sugar-free ketchup (saves 4g carbs per serving)
• Skip brown sugar in glaze or use monk fruit sweetener (1:1 ratio)
• Serve with roasted vegetables instead of traditional starchy sides
• Keep portions to 4oz (about 1 thick slice) to maintain blood sugar control

Pro Tips

• Don’t overmix the meat mixture – it makes the meatloaf tough
• Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness
• Line the pan with foil for easy cleanup
• Let it rest full 10 minutes for easier slicing