You will love this incredibly juicy and tender Meatloaf recipe. My homemade glaze has so much flavor, and adds that special something to truly make it "The Perfect Meatloaf". Enjoy with a side of mashed potatoes, and buttered green beans.
Meatloaf Ingredients: (Exact measurements are in the printable Recipe Card below)
- 2 - 2.5 pound ground beef (I used chuck 85%, however a combination of pork and beef would be nice also)
- Small onion, garlic, parsley
- bacon
- ketchup, worcestershire sauce
- eggs
- saltine crackers
- seasonings: salt, pepper, italian seasoning, paprika
Glaze Ingredients:
- ketchup, white balsamic vinegar, coca-cola
- seasonings: brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder
Mix all ingredients together and form a loaf. Add to a 9x4 inch (23x10 cm) loaf pan. It does not have to be prepared with parchment paper. The loaf is going to be juicy enough and will not stick to the bottom of the pan. Bake for 40 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, at 375 degrees F, or 190 degrees C. Remove from the oven, pour the glaze over. Then return to the oven to bake for another 20 minutes. Garnish with a little chopped parsley. Slice into 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, and buttered green beans. If you have leftover slices you can make some delicious meatloaf sandwiches with melted mozzarella cheese out of them. Enjoy!
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Recipe
The Perfect Meatloaf
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 lbs ground beef, chuck 85% lean (alternatively: 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb ground pork)
- 1 Β½ teaspoon salt
- Β½ teaspoon pepper
- Β½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 cup yellow onion (about 1 small onion), finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- ΒΌ cup fresh parsley, finely minced
- 4 bacon slices
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup saltine crackers (20 crackers), smushed into crumbles
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
- ΒΌ cup coca cola
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- ΒΌ teaspoon salt
- ΒΌ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 375Β° F (190Β° C) You need a 9x4 inch loaf pan (23x10 cm)1. Add the saltine crackers to a small zip-lock bag. Close and pound with a hard object to crumble up the crackers, so it resembles a coarse meal. 2. Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic cloves, and mince the fresh parsley.3. Cut bacon into very small pieces. (I used pre-cooked bacon. If you are using uncooked bacon, I would trim some of the excess fat off).4. Add your ground beef to a bowl. Add all of the seasonings, followed by the worcestershire sauce, ketchup, bacon, eggs, and saltine crackers.5. Mix with your hands everything well together, then form a small loaf that would fit snugly into your loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes on the middle rack.6. Meantime make the glaze: To a small saucepan add the ketchup, balsamic vinegar, coca-cola, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Stir to combine, and cook on medium-low heat for a few minutes. Set aside.7. After 40 minutes of baking take the loaf pan out of the oven and pour the glaze on the top of the meatloaf. Spread evenly, then return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes.Remove meatloaf from the oven. Sprinkle some parsley for garnish, and slice into about 1 inch ( about 2.5 cm) slices. Enjoy hot with mashed potatoes and buttered green beans. Use leftovers to make a nice meatloaf sandwich. Enjoy!
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