Save on Pinterest
Sign up for Our Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Best-Ever Meat Loaf

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
Best-Ever Meat Loaf
Best-Ever Meat Loaf Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Next Recipe
Recommended
13 Chicken Sheet Pan Dinners
Next Recipe
  • Total Time
    Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1-1/4 hours + standing
  • Makes
    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

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.

Recommended Video

More from Taste of Home

Mini Meat Loaf Sheet-Pan Meal
Mini Meat Loaf Sheet-Pan Meal
Stuffed Meat Loaf Slices
Stuffed Meat Loaf Slices
Italian Spiral Meat Loaf
Italian Spiral Meat Loaf
Easy Classic Meat Loaf
Easy Classic Meat Loaf
Matthew’s Best Ever Meat Loaf
Matthew’s Best Ever Meat Loaf
Mom’s Meat Loaf for 2
Mom’s Meat Loaf for 2
Li’l Cheddar Meat Loaves
Li’l Cheddar Meat Loaves
Deluxe Meat Loaf
Deluxe Meat Loaf
Muffin-Pan Meat Loaves
Muffin-Pan Meat Loaves
My Mom’s Best Meat Loaf
My Mom’s Best Meat Loaf
Dad’s Favorite Barbecue Meat Loaves
Dad’s Favorite Barbecue Meat Loaves
Moist & Savory Meat Loaf
Moist & Savory Meat Loaf
All-American Meat Loaf
All-American Meat Loaf
Bacon-Topped Meat Loaf
Bacon-Topped Meat Loaf
Makeover Li’l Cheddar Meat Loaves
Makeover Li’l Cheddar Meat Loaves
Traditional Meat Loaf
Traditional Meat Loaf
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Mom’s Meat Loaf
Mom’s Meat Loaf
Vegetable Meat Loaf
Vegetable Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf Muffins
Meat Loaf Muffins