Best Easy Meatloaf Recipe : This is the best meatloaf you’ll ever taste. It’s blended with the perfect seasonings and a cheesy top. It is the most delicious meatloaf recipe ever!
Meatloaf has always been a favorite at the Smith House. And though I’ve experimented with different flavors and ways to make it, there’s one particular recipe that all of us enjoy the most.As a kid, I loved my mama’s meatloaf. It was moist and well-seasoned. And it was the kind of recipe I think of when comfort food classics come to mind. But I’ve never liked meatloaf elsewhere. The others I’ve tried or more loaf-like.
Yes, I know it’s called meat LOAF, but I want way more meat and less like loaf bread. You know what I’m talking about.
So when I married, I always used Mama’s meatloaf version. And my husband devoured it, too. But ever since I tweaked it a bit with a few extra seasonings, I’ve been able to bake a meatloaf that’s out of this world.
It really is the best easy meatloaf recipe ever–seriously. After this one, my husband and boys have never found another meatloaf that even came close. For the best ever meatloaf, the secret is in just a couple of seasoning choices to create a meatloaf like no other.
It’s juicy, yet still easy to slice, and one of those comfort foods your family will rave about. I also must note that my husband’s the reason I’m sharing this post.
I don’t know why I’ve never shared it before, really. But he insisted and keeps reminding me that you’ll love it just as much as we do. So here goes. . .
Best Easy Meatloaf Recipe
To make a great meatloaf, choose extra lean ground beef. That way, the meatloaf stays together nicely and isn’t greasy.
Don’t worry. With this recipe, you’ll use plenty of other seasoning to create a great flavor. Those seasonings will also help the loaf keep it’s shape without drying it out. I’ve never had a meatloaf that was this juicy and flavorful.
For this recipe, I’ve learned to double the mix. My husband and boys can’t resist seconds on this one, so I’m including the family-size portion in the recipe at the bottom of the post.
I also like to sauté my onions a bit before adding to the mixture. That way they have a little head start on cooking time and aren’t crunchy, but cooked through.
But don’t worry–I share that extra step in the recipe below, too. Just print out your own copy. Your family will love this one–enjoy! 🙂
Try this Best Easy Meatloaf Recipe for dinner tonight! Click To Tweet
Ingredients
2 lbs. extra lean ground beef
1/4 cup of Zesty Italian dressing
1 large onion, finely chopped
ketchup
1 pkg. chicken flavored stuffing mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In skillet, cook onions in dressing until slightly browned.
In large bowl, mix ground beef, 1/4 cup of ketchup, stuffing mix, eggs, onions, and 1 cup of water.
Place the combined ingredients into a 13 x 9 baking dish and shape into a large loaf.
Add layer of ketchup to the top of the loaf and bake for 1 hour or until it’s cooked all the way through.
Optional: Cover the loaf with cheese and bake until melted.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Print a copy of our Best Easy Meatloaf Recipe below:
- 2 lbs. extra lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup of Zesty Italian dressing
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- ketchup
- 1 pkg. chicken flavored stuffing mix
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In skillet, cook onions in dressing until slightly browned.
- In large bowl, mix ground beef, 1/4 cup of ketchup, stuffing mix, eggs, onions, and 1 cup of water.
- Place the combined ingredients into a 13 x 9 baking dish and shape into a large loaf.
- Add layer of ketchup to the top of the loaf and bake for 1 hour or until it's cooked all the way through.
- Optional: Cover the loaf with cheese and bake until melted.
We love meatloaf! I have tried a few recipes we love, but not this one – yet! Going to be making this one this week! Looks YUM!
Meatloaf is a HUGE hit in our home as well. Of course, my meatloaf has been a hit all of my life. This meatloaf is different than I’ve ever seen before. I may have to give it a try one day.
Oh, Mitzi! That looks so good! Your photography and recipe are awesome.
I’ve never put cheese on my meatloaf before. That looks good! Thank you for sharing.
Your meatloaf does look good! I’m glad you linked up at the Pretty Pintastic Party! I’m about to subscribe to your blog because for some strange reason I’ve been missing your latest posts. And I don’t like that a bit!
This is quite the interesting meatloaf recipe…but yet looks delicious!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Happy Sunday! Hope you’re having a FABULOUS weekend–just wanted to swing by and give you a huge “Thank you!” for linking up at Bewitchin Projects last week–and we’ve already got the party started again today, so be sure to come link up again here: http://www.ourminifamily.com/2014/08/bewitchin-projects-block-party-week-5.html
XO
~Cathy Mini~
OurMiniFamily.com
What a great recipe! Thanks for sharing at the Bloggers Brag Pinterest Party.
Oh yes – it feels like autumn has come early around here so bring on the comfort food!
This is different to cook the onions in the Zesty Italian dressing. Will give this a try 🙂
this meatloaf was the very best! Thank you, for sharing! My husband and his Friends said it was the very, best meatloaf ever!
yay! I am so happy you tried it– My husband and boys love it, too 🙂
Hi I was just wondering I don’t have the zesty italian packet wat else could I use instead
I don’t use the packet for this one. I actually use 1/4 cup of Zesty Italian bottled dressing. So, any kind of bottled Italian dressing could be substituted for this step. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hello! i Am making this tonight! Any chance if i half the recipe how long to bake it for? Excited to try 🙂
Never halved this one– my boys and husband devour it, so I’ve always stuck with the hearty size 🙂
I have a question about the stuffing mix… do you mean like stove top stuffing mix ? if so, do you make it up first or if using it dry – do you use both packs of bread crumbs and seasoning mix ? looks like a great recipe . i’m anxious to try it
Yes, although I use a generic version, it is like chicken flavored stovetop stuffing. You mix all the ingredients from the box into the ground beef. I really think this and the onions sautéed in the zesty Italian dressing is the key to this meatloaf. The cheese topping is for my boys. But I’ve made it with/without the cheese topping and they’ve still devoured it. Hope this helps!
Dear ms Mitzi.
YOUr meatloaf is INCREDIBLE. We are totally in love in love with the RECIPE.
Thank you very much
Anita
so happy you enjoyed it– my boys can’t seem to get enough of it!
That looks great! I Will definitely give this one a try:)
thank you for this delicious recipe! My husband loves it and I think it’s pretty tasty too! I’m not a huge fan of onions, but I love that you saute them in zesty Italian first. Makes them much better!! Thanks again!!!
I’m the same way about onions, but I do like to season with them so I make sure to cook them down first. Happy to hear your husband loves it!
With the stuffing mix, do you add the stuffing and the seasoning to it?
Yes! You blend in everything from the box. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
how many does this serve?
Our family of 4 has enough for seconds, so I’d say 6 to 8 hearty portions.
Hi!
I am trying this this evening, however we don’t like ketchup – shall I just leave it out? Or would you recommend a substitution?
Many thanks
If you don’t like ketchup, then just use what’s combined within the recipe and leave it off the top– It will still taste great!
How much water can’t read on recipe
it’s 1 cup of water 🙂
I have made this before but now I can’t get the recipe to show.
Can someone send it to me,please?
Thank you,
katie
Check out the detailed recipe here: https://writtenreality.com/best-ever-meatloaf-recipe/
I made this meatloaf last night and it was outstanding! easy to make and very, very flavorful and moist. this will be in rotation in my house. leftovers today provided meatloaf sandwiches!