Mom’s Hearty Meatloaf Recipe: Homemade Comfort on Your Plate

Tucking into a classic mommas meatloaf brings back warm memories of childhood dinners.

Comfort seeps through every savory bite, reminding us of home-cooked goodness.

Generations have treasured this hearty dish, passing down recipes with love and care.

Familiar ingredients blend perfectly to create a meal that speaks directly to the soul.

Soft textures and rich flavors mingle in a way that feels like a culinary hug.

Grandmothers and mothers have long mastered this simple yet delicious recipe.

Dig in and experience a taste of pure nostalgia.

Mommas Meatloaf That Tastes Like Sunday Dinner

• Craft Comfort Quickly: This meatloaf recipe delivers homemade goodness in just over an hour, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious, no-fuss meals.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with familiar ingredients and classic flavors, this meatloaf appeals to all ages, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that satisfies everyone at the table.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Beyond being simple to prepare, this recipe allows easy customization with different herbs, sauces, or side dishes, transforming a basic meatloaf into a personalized culinary experience.
• Stress-Free Cooking: Minimal preparation steps and straightforward mixing technique mean even novice cooks can confidently create a hearty, flavorful meal without complex techniques or extensive kitchen skills.

What’s in Momma’s Meatloaf Mix

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Rich protein foundation that provides hearty flavor and tender texture; choose meats with moderate fat content for juiciness.

• Bread Crumbs, Milk: Help hold the meatloaf together and keep it moist; use fresh bread crumbs for better texture.
• Egg: Acts as a natural binding agent to help ingredients stick.

• Onion, Bell Pepper, Garlic: Add depth and subtle sweetness; fresh vegetables provide better flavor than frozen.
• Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Dijon Mustard: Create complex, tangy flavor profile with slight sweetness and sharpness.

• Oregano, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that complement meat and provide balanced, traditional taste; use fresh ground pepper for more intense flavor.

Mommas Meatloaf Preparation Walkthrough

Step 1: Blend Meaty Goodness

• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Garlic

• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Craft Perfect Loaf

Transfer the meat mixture into a 9×5-inch loaf pan or carefully shape it into a classic loaf on a baking sheet, ensuring an even surface.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Warm the oven to 350°F and slide the meatloaf inside.

Bake for approximately one hour, checking that the internal temperature reaches 160°F using a meat thermometer.

Step 4: Rest and Plate

Allow the meatloaf to settle for 10 minutes after removing from the oven.

This helps the juices redistribute, creating a more tender and flavorful dish.

Slice and serve alongside roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.

Meatloaf Tips Just Like Mom Used To Make

• Add a splash of milk or beef broth to prevent the meatloaf from becoming dry during baking, ensuring a juicy and tender result.
• Combine ground beef with ground pork for a richer flavor and improved texture, creating a more complex and satisfying meatloaf.
• Experiment with herbs like thyme or parsley, or swap Dijon mustard for spicy brown mustard to personalize the flavor profile.
• Avoid overmixing the ingredients to keep the meatloaf light and tender, gently combining just until ingredients are incorporated.
• Replace bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour for those with dietary restrictions.

Momma’s Meatloaf: How to Store and Reheat Well

• Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm slices in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Heat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway to ensure even warming and prevent overcooking.
• Wrap meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Comforting Picks For Meatloaf

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the meatloaf, cutting through its hearty texture with smooth tannins.
• Enhance with Creamy Potato Sides: Serve garlic mashed potatoes or cheesy scalloped potatoes alongside the meatloaf, creating a comforting classic combination that absorbs the savory meat juices.
• Balance with Bright Vegetable Salad: Prepare a tangy coleslaw or crisp green salad with vinaigrette dressing to add freshness and contrast to the dense, savory meatloaf, providing a lighter counterpoint to the main dish.
• Match with Craft Beer Companion: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or brown ale that mirrors the meatloaf's rich flavor profile, offering a slightly hoppy and malty backdrop that enhances the overall dining experience.

Classic and Comforting Mommas Meatloaf Styles

• Vegetarian Meatloaf: Replace ground beef and pork with lentils, mushrooms, and plant-based ground meat alternatives. Use flax egg instead of chicken egg for binding.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap bread crumbs with gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free crackers. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Use almond flour instead of bread crumbs. Replace ketchup with sugar-free tomato sauce to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean-Style Meatloaf: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped spinach, and replace Dijon mustard with oregano-infused olive oil for a Greek-inspired version.

FAQs

• Why use both ground beef and ground pork?

The combination creates a more flavorful and moist meatloaf. Beef provides robust taste while pork adds extra juiciness and tenderness to the final dish.

• Can I substitute breadcrumbs?

Yes, you can use crushed crackers, panko, or gluten-free breadcrumbs. These alternatives help bind the meat and maintain the meatloaf’s texture. Just ensure they’re similar in volume to the original recipe.

• How do I know the meatloaf is fully cooked?

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. When it reaches 160°F (71°C), the meatloaf is safe to eat and cooked thoroughly. Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.

• What if I don't have Dijon mustard?

Regular yellow mustard works as a substitute. The goal is to add a tangy flavor that complements the meat. If you prefer, you can also omit mustard entirely without significantly affecting the overall taste.

Mommas Meatloaf Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Momma’s Meatloaf brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending hearty ground beef with classic seasonings. Homemade flavor and nostalgic memories merge in this simple yet satisfying dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) ground pork

Binding and Moisture Ingredients:

• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Gently merge ground beef and ground pork in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a harmonious protein foundation for the classic comfort dish.
2. Incorporate bread crumbs and milk, allowing the mixture to develop a tender, moist texture that will elevate the final product.
3. Introduce finely chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to infuse the meat with aromatic depth and complex flavor profiles.
4. Crack a fresh egg into the mixture, acting as a binding agent that will help maintain the meatloaf’s structural integrity during cooking.
5. Blend ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard to create a tangy seasoning that will permeate the entire loaf with rich, zesty undertones.
6. Sprinkle dried oregano, salt, and pepper throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution of herbs and spices for a balanced taste experience.
7. Thoroughly knead all ingredients until uniformly combined, taking care not to overwork the meat, which could result in a dense texture.
8. Transfer the prepared mixture into a standard loaf pan, smoothing the top to create an even surface for consistent cooking.
9. Heat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center to ensure uniform heat circulation around the meatloaf.
10. Roast for approximately one hour, or until the internal temperature reaches a safe 160°F, indicating complete cooking.
11. Remove from the oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist, tender final result.
12. Slice carefully and serve alongside complementary side dishes, presenting a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Swap ground pork with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the meatloaf tender and juicy.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the classic texture and binding properties.
• Add grated carrots or zucchini to boost vegetable content and create extra moisture, preventing the meatloaf from becoming dry during baking.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety and perfectly cooked meatloaf every single time, avoiding potential undercooking risks.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 372
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 579 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg