Best-Ever Meat Loaf

Name: Best-Ever Meat Loaf
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 2 large eggs; 2/3 cup whole milk; 3 slices bread, torn; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup grated carrot; 1 cup shredded cheddar or part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried basil, thyme or sage, optional; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef; TOPPING:; 1/2 cup tomato sauce; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon prepared mustard

The combination of onion, carrots, parsley and cheese—plus the tomato-mustard topping—makes this meat loaf really colorful. The recipe lends itself easily to being doubled or halved to suit the number you're cooking for, and it freezes well, too. It's the best meatloaf ever! —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

Ingredients

2 large eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
3 slices bread, torn
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 cup shredded cheddar or part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil, thyme or sage, optional
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
TOPPING:
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard

Directions

In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and bread; let stand until liquid is absorbed. Stir in the onion, carrot, cheese and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.
Shape into a 7-1/2x3-1/2x2-1/2-in. loaf in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes.
Combine the topping ingredients; spoon half of the mixture over meat loaf. Bake 30 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink and a thermometer reads 160°, occasionally spooning remaining topping over loaf. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 398 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 771mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.

Originally published as Best-Ever Meat Loaf in Reminisce Extra February 1993

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Roberta

Jan 13, 2019

This meatloaf is really good. I did add more spices though. I added garlic, sage and thyme. This is now my favorite meatloaf recipe. The texture and flavors are spot on!
Chelsea

Nov 15, 2018

My favorite meat loaf recipe of all time! I have made it a few times accidentally adding extra or omitting some ingredients but it always still taste amazing!
Debglass11

Sep 27, 2018

Good meatloaf recipe! I liked the addition of cheddar and carrots to the mix. I did add the optional sage - not quite a teaspoonful - and it added a nice warmth to the loaf. Next time, just as a personal preference, I may add a little ketchup and worcestershire to the meat mixture. I used ketchup instead of the tomato sauce, so I lessened the brown sugar to taste. Will definitely make this again!
Jennifer

May 19, 2018

My aunt handed down a very similar recipe that is over 50 years old. She did not add milk, carrots or herbs. Two eggs, onions, fresh bread crumbs, garlic, salt/pepper & half can of tomato sauce in the loaf and the remaining sauce was mixed with brown sugar, mustard and vinegar - a sweet tart type of sauce. I haven't made the recipe listed so I cannot judge other than I know I wouldn't like the herbs in mine. Try an addition of a tablespoon of white vinegar to the sauce to balance the sweet - it's really good.
Lynda1111

Apr 10, 2018

Very good. Love the cheese & carrot in this. I did reduce brown sugar to 2 tbsp (sugar restricted diet), but this is a deliciouse meatloaf.
llmarkov

Apr 9, 2018

I make this meatloaf all the time and it really is the best ever!! I use panko bread crumbs and add some ketchup and mustard when I add the meat. And I use ketchup and mustard as the topping instead of the mixture the recipe calls for also. Oh, and I always cook up the onions in a pan with some garlic before I add it to the mix because I read some other reviews that said the onions did it cook well inside the meatloaf.
Michelle D

Apr 7, 2018

This has been my go to meatloaf recipe for close to 17 years. My Aunt gave the recipe to me when I got married. It is always moist and flavorful. Best-Ever Meatloaf is a great name for this meatloaf.
603linda

Mar 13, 2018

I wish people would read recipes correctly before making judgments that .
climbergirl

Feb 14, 2018

This was pretty good. I'll make it again with some modifications. Mainly, my husband and I both thought the sauce was way too sweet. Next time, I'll cut it by at least half. I also added a couple cloves of garlic.ETA: I have since made it again. I didn't have tomato sauce and used barbecue sauce with mustard mixed again. Much better than the original sauce!
vsmith8403

Feb 11, 2018

This meatloaf was amazing! I really enjoy all the ingredients added to the meat, I did add celery to the carrots and onion and it was great. I also added a little bbq sauce and worchestorshire sauce to the meat while mixing it. My only thing I’d do a little different next time is not make the sauce so sweet. I think the brown sugar was way to much, so next time I’ll add less. Just personal preference. My kids loved it though! Had no problems with my meat staying together. And it was great the next day too! I think this would make a good meatball too. I may try it one of these days.