When I was a kid, my mother tried and tried over and over to make meatloaf. But, no matter what method she used, she couldn’t get it right. Honestly, it tasted like dog food. Not that I have ever tasted dog food, but I sure have smelled dog food, and I imagine my mom’s meatloaf tastes like dog food smells. But I’m thrilled that I have made this best meatloaf ever eventually.
I recall many different people making meatloaf and eating it at their homes, which tasted quite good. When mom saw that we liked it and she liked it too, she would ask whoever made it for their recipe so she could attempt it for us at home. I even remember one of my uncles made it right in front of her, showing her what he put in it but still, it was not good every time.
When I was younger, I had attempted meatloaf, using packets from the grocery store, mixing things like my uncle did but mine never really came out good either. So it was then that I removed meatloaf from my mind and moved on to other things I could master.
Since meatloaf has always been my nemesis, I wanted some meatloaf a couple of years ago, and hubby had asked why I had never made meatloaf. I explained that about my mom and how my attempts all turned to failure. Then I randomly saw a woman on a TV show who was making meatloaf. I have always been intrigued by this loaf of meat and seasonings with its tomato sauce top, and I just had to learn how to make it. So I looked it up online and found her recipe!
I made this meatloaf, and wow, It was as if the heavens opened up and granted me the wisdom of the ages! I was excited to serve it to my family. I waited with bated breath as my kids took a small bite and my husband dug into his. I couldn’t even eat mine yet; I had to know what they thought. Was it good? Did it taste balanced and moist? Then they spoke, one at a time. They liked my best meatloaf ever!
I was forever thankful for finding Best Meatloaf Ever. Just the other night, I made another fantastic meatloaf, but I didn’t follow her recipe this time. Instead, I threw caution to the wind, threw it together in a matter of minutes, and put it in to bake.
Once everyone tasted it, I asked, “So, how is the meatloaf”. To which I got silence at first but then immediately sounds of enjoyment. Yums and guttural sounds accompanied my youngest daughter saying, “This is your best meatloaf mom, I like it without the bacon on it”.
Without bacon? I know how she could even be my kid; I love bacon! But she was right; this was a pretty damn good meatloaf. So I figured I would share the wonderful recipe since I already shared the link to my first best meatloaf ever.
Best Meatloaf Ever
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (minced beef)
- 3 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups dried breadcrumbs - Italian
- ¼ cup ketchup (tomato sauce Australia and UK)
- 3 tablespoons mustard
- ¼ medium red onion - grated finely
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce (barbecue sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix together all but the BBQ sauce, and form into a meatloaf in a 9×13 glass baking dish. Bake until done for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve!