Mama K’s Simple Homemade Meatloaf

My husband has a rotating list of favorite meals, but Mama K’s Simple Homemade Meatloaf is always at the top—and for good reason! This meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food: tender, juicy, and packed with rich, savory flavor in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas and brings everyone to the table with big appetites. Even my three-year-old, who’s not easily impressed by dinner, goes absolutely nuts over this meal. It’s simple, satisfying, and so full of love—just like Mama K intended!

This recipe has a special place in my heart, as it was first introduced to me by my dad when I was just a kid. I can still remember being in the kitchen with him, watching closely as he mixed the ingredients and shaped the loaf with care. It was one of those comforting, no-frills meals that always brought the family together. As I got older and started cooking on my own, I found myself coming back to that recipe again and again. Over the years, I’ve made little tweaks and personal touches—adjusting flavors, simplifying steps, and making it my own. What started as a childhood favorite has now become a signature dish in our home, one that I’m proud to pass down as Mama K’s Simple Homemade Meatloaf.

Why I Love This Recipe

Aside from its nostalgia, one of the things I love most about this recipe is how incredibly easy and low-effort it is—perfect for those busy weeknights when time is short but you still want something hearty and homemade. With just a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on prep, you can have your meatloaf baking away in the oven, filling the house with mouthwatering smells while you relax or spend that extra time with the people you love. It’s one of those set-it-and-forget-it meals that delivers big on flavor without keeping you tied to the kitchen. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a cozy Sunday meal, it always hits the spot without any fuss.

As a mom, I love making delicious meals with simple ingredients. There’s nothing worse than finding a delicious recipe and then having to make a special trip to the grocery store for specific ingredients, that you’ll likely end up using once. Thankfully, this recipe calls for ingredients that you likely already have on hand, making for an easy, and budget friendly, dinner!

Ingredients

Ground Beef: I use 85% lean ground beef for this recipe, however you can also substitute for a 50/50 meat blend, such as pork/beef!

Egg: The egg acts as a binder for the ingredients in this recipe, as it helps bind the meat/breadcrumbs/seasonings together, for a tender loaf.

Milk: Milk helps add moisture to the Italian breadcrumbs, helping the meatloaf to come out moist and tender.

Italian Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs work with the egg and milk to bind the meat together to form the desired loaf.

Worcestershire Sauce: I love using Worcestershire sauce in this recipe, because it adds a boost of umami flavor, while enhancing the natural richness of the meat. This also helps to balance the sweet and tangy flavor of the glaze.

Dry Onion Soup Mix: This is my “secret weapon” in some of my recipes, it adds the rich and savory flavors of onion soup, which amplifies the overall flavor of the meat. I use Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix but you can use whichever brand you have on hand, or omit if preferred.

Ketchup: Ketchup is used in the glaze that tops this meatloaf. The sugar in the ketchup helps to caramelize the meatloaf when baking.

Mustard: Mustard adds a tangy kick to the glaze that helps to cut through the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar.

Hoisin Sauce: Another “secret weapon” in this recipe is Chinese Hoisin Sauce! Not only does it pump in that umami flavor, but it also has a natural sweetness and thick texture that makes it the perfect addition to this glaze.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is added for it’s caramelization properties.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×5″ loaf pan.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine dry onion soup mix packet, thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined, and set aside.

Step 3: In another small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients and mix until well combined. I like to use a fork for this step to ensure the brown sugar breaks down and is evenly disbursed.

Step 4: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and dry seasoning mixture until well combined and all ingredients are evenly disbursed. Once combined, form a loaf with the meat mixture and transfer to the greased loaf pan and top with glaze mixture.

Step 5: Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches at least 160°F. My family prefers a more caramelized crust, but if you feel that the top is getting too caramelized for your liking, feel free to cover with tinfoil for the last 15 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting, to ensure the juices reabsorb into the meat.

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