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–+ servings
A slice of moist meatloaf topped with glaze, from a ground beef recipe everyone asks for.

Ground Beef Recipes Recipe Everyone Asks For

This recipe is a family favorite, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick, delicious, and budget-friendly meal. It's designed to be satisfying for kids and easy for parents to prepare.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf
  • 1 cup torn-up bread pieces or 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup milk whole or 2%
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced small
  • 1 small carrot peeled and diced small
  • 1 stalk celery diced small
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 pounds ground meat such as beef, pork, veal, lamb, or a mix
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 black pepper freshly cracked, to taste
For the Topping (Optional)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup, BBQ sauce, or other sauce to coat
  • 8 ounces bacon optional

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Rimmed baking sheet
  • Skillet
  • Bowl
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) with a rack in the bottom third. Line a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish with aluminum foil.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the torn bread pieces and milk. Let it sit until the bread softens into a thick porridge, stirring and mashing occasionally. Remove any large bread pieces that haven't broken down.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the dried thyme and tomato paste until coated. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, beaten eggs, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, the soaked bread mixture, and the cooked vegetables. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients until just combined.
  5. Transfer the meatloaf mixture to the prepared baking sheet or dish. Shape it into a loaf, about 9x5 inches. If using a loaf pan, press the mixture into the pan.
  6. Spread 1/4 cup of your chosen sauce (ketchup or BBQ sauce) over the top of the meatloaf, reserving the rest for later. If using bacon, arrange the slices over the loaf.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes.
  8. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of sauce over the meatloaf. Continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 155°F (68°C) on an instant-read thermometer. This will be about 1 hour of total baking time.
  9. Let the meatloaf cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. If you used a loaf pan, carefully drain off any excess fat. Slice thickly and serve.

Notes

This recipe is versatile. You can use any ground meat you prefer or a combination. Feel free to adjust the sauce on top to your family's liking.

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