Meatloaf is one of those foods that you either love or hate. I used to hate it but now I love it!! C still hates it and will not touch it with a 10 foot pole, so when I make this, it gets taken to a family dinner. I had searched for a good, easy meatloaf recipe that resulted in a firm, dry loaf because I did not want it to be too wet and sticky.
This quick and easy recipe is perfect! It was given to me by my co-worker, K, who is a great cook. If you like a dense, solid meatloaf that has just the right amount of moisture in it, try this one. I think you will love it.
P.S. It also makes great leftover sandwiches. You just can’t beat two pieces of white bread with a warm slice of meatloaf in between them. Yummy!
1 lb ground beef
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2/3 cup crushed saltine crackers
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp brown sugar
pepper to taste
Please ignore the sleeping dog in the above photo!! Ha, ha! Ellie has such a hard life! Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet. Since I didn’t want the meatloaf to sit in the juices while it was cooking, here is what I did. Put a piece of foil on a baking sheet to catch the drips. Take a baking rack that is smaller than the sheet pan and cover it with foil. Punch a bunch of holes in the foil on the rack to allow the juices to drain. This results in a slightly drier meatloaf which is how I like it. If you want it wetter, just skip this step.
Combine the beef, tomato sauce, onion, and cracker crumbs in a large bowl. I just use my hands to mash it all together. Season with salt and pepper. Shape into a loaf and place it on the rack.
Cook for one hour. Just before the hour is up, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and a little black pepper. Spread this mixture on the top of the meatloaf and cook for 10 more minutes. Enjoy!!
Picture Perfect Cooking 
[…] Basic meatloaf with butter roasted potatoes […]
[…] Basic Meatloaf […]
I made your “Basic Meatloaf” today..I had to let you know my hubby and I LOVED IT!!! I have been making meatloaf for years and could never get it just right, how I liked it, till I found yours. Thank you so much for the tip with the foil, tho I had a hard time getting the foil off the rack,the sauce rolled down the edges and burnt on…but NO problem..it was SO worth it!! 🙂 I only changed 1 thing…I used bread crumbs instead of crackers. Was still great! I’ve always thought eggs were the secret to holding the meat together (I was wrong). Thanx again, I can’t wait to have a meatloaf sandwich tomorrow! 🙂
I am so glad that it turned out great for you!! Thanks for your wonderful comment! If you have trouble with the meat sticking to the foil or the foil sticking to the rack, just spray the rack and foil with non-stick spray before baking and that should help.
LOL duh…can’t believe I didn’t think of that! Thank you! By the way, I can’t wait to try your Buttered Roasted Potatoes. Looks yummy!
[…] Basic meatloaf with oven baked fries […]
[…] Basic Meatloaf with Butter Roasted Potatoes Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with curly fries […]
[…] Meatloaf with potatoes of some sort […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with oven baked fries […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with baked potatoes and corn on the cob […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with curly fries & salad […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with oven fries […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with butter roasted potatoes […]
[…] Basic meatloaf with oven baked fries […]