Best Meatloaf Ever with Balsamic Glaze is amazing comfort food! Moist and delicious, this recipe comes together quickly and freezes perfectly.
At long last, Chad finally gets his favorite meal. Yes, I know how shocking it is that out of all the fabulous Italian food and flavors that I provide him, he is still a Midwest meat and potatoes man.
No matter what I do, that is who he is. Meat and potatoes with a side of corn on the cob and he is surely in heaven!!!
Not to mention, this classic meatloaf makes for the best meat loaf sandwiches I have ever eaten.
Tips for making the best meatloaf ever
I have been making this recipe for well over 10 years now. I love that it has a little Italian flair.
Also, it's freezer-friendly! I bake one and portion it out, freeze it and pull it out as we want to eat it... Which is pretty often.
I have a few tips for you:
I have to say I love my Mom's meatloaf, but this is miles away from her recipe (sorry Mom).
Munchkin loves this meal too, but likes the meatloaf mixed with mashed potatoes.Also, it's freezer-friendly! I bake one and portion it out, freeze it and pull it out as we want to eat it... Which is pretty often.
I have a few tips for you:
- Don't skip the balsamic glaze recipe!
- Uncover for better flavor
I have to say I love my Mom's meatloaf, but this is miles away from her recipe (sorry Mom).
Serving Suggestions
Chad likes it with a side of Spicy Baked Brown Rice.
I like it straight out of the pan, served with a baked potato or rice, with a vegetable and especially served cold on some delicious Milk and Honey White Bread.
Tonight we ate it with a side of green beans with garlic olive oil and it was perfect.
Chad of course had his with rice. You didn't think he ate green beans, did you?
Chad of course had his with rice. You didn't think he ate green beans, did you?
Kitchen Tools You'll Need for This Recipe
We hope you'll agree that this really is the best meatloaf recipe ever.- 9x13 Baking Dish - I have my favorites and this set is one of them. The 9x13 is perfect for casseroles and the smaller size is awesome for making 1/2 a casserole recipe.
- Mixing Bowls - I like a variety of mixing bowls and prep bowls and this set has them all.
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Watch our video on making the best meatloaf ever!
Yield: 6

Best Meatloaf Ever with Balsamic Glaze
Best Meatloaf Ever with Balsamic Glaze is amazing comfort food! Moist and delicious, this recipe comes together quickly and freezes perfectly.
prep time: 5 minscook time: 50 minstotal time: 55 mins
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons ketchup, divided
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl add beef, bread crumbs and milk. Pour the milk directly over the bread crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, pepper, salt and onion powder. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, crack egg and beat it slightly. This helps prevent overworking the meat while combining. Add egg to the meat mixture. Combine well with hands, do not overwork the meat mixture.
- Form meatloaf in bowl, into a loaf form and then transfer to a roasting pan (I use glass). Free form into a loaf shape. You may notice cracks in the loaf. Run your hands under warm water and then across the meatloaf to smooth the cracks out. Set meatloaf aside.
- In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar. Mix well with a fork.
- Apply glaze evenly to the top of your meatloaf.
- Cover pan with aluminum foil. Place meatloaf in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Sides should be lightly browned when ready to uncover foil.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Allow to rest uncovered for 10 minutes. Slice and serve with your favorite sides!
Recipe developed by Donna Elick The Slow Roasted Italian
Copyright ©2011 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.
Originally published on August 10, 2011
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It's nice to meet you and thank you for visiting over at "Snippets". I had to chuckle when I read your post about meatloaf. My husband loves meatloaf, potatoes, and a vegetable. His family is from the heartland, Missouri, and many dinners at his house were meatloaf when we were dating. I have to admit, it is delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love this glaze on the meatloaf. I do something similar but with a bit of bbq sauce ingredients to liven things up. I need to try this version though. Isn't meatloaf so comforting!
ReplyDeleteI think meatloaf is one of the best things you can make for a family. And it makes the very best leftovers!! We love meatloaf sandwiches! I like your glaze idea - I usually just stick with plain ketchup! I also use a combination of meat: turkey, pork, beef.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious and I love the added Italian flair!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures look really great, too, Donna!
Gorgeous meatloaf, Donna. I don't even remember the last time I made one. It sounds good!
ReplyDeleteoh my word!! we love meatloaf - sounds incredible :)
ReplyDeleteSam @ fitness food & faith (giveaway today!)
Sounds like such a gourmet meatloaf, yum! Thanks, Chris
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. It's so fun to take a classic recipe and give it an update!
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about men and meatloaf? My husband LOVES meatloaf. May have to give this one a try because it looks wonderful. I am very intrigued by the balsamic glaze - nice!
ReplyDeleteLook delicious! gloria
ReplyDeleteIve been looking for THE meatloaf recipe for far too long, and this looks like it might just be the one for me! So moist, they have a habit of looking dry and crumbly n thats just not on hey :) gorgeous recipe, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe meatloaf is savored with love. It gives me an idea to prepare that for our morning anniversary celebration on saturday
ReplyDeleteI freaking love meatloaf. I'm so classy =P
ReplyDeleteThere is something about meatloaf with a sweet tangy glaze. When love that this has a balsamic glaze...yum!
ReplyDeleteWe ate this delicious recipe tonight! I made one adjustment to the glaze because I knew my husband wouldn't like the vinegary taste (I just added three drops of Liquid Smoke). The meatloaf was perfect and moist. He said it was a keeper!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! So happy you loved it.
DeleteI'm trying this this weekend!! I've been looking for a great meatloaf recipe. Looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Emma! Enjoy and Let us know how it goes!
DeleteI think meatloaf is a favorite in most families. I love the balsamic vinegar addition. Will have to try this. My husband is also a meat and potatoes guy. Does your husband spread his corn on top of his mashed potatoes? Ha He'll even top that with some gravy.
ReplyDeleteActually I am the culprit . I mix my mashed potatoes and corn with gravy. Its like a soup. It freaks him out. LOL THanks for stopping by.
DeleteYummy looking meatloaf! I love your food blog & just bookmarked it for the future explore. Will try with your recipe soon!
ReplyDeletecan you use the heinz balsamic ketchup insteadof regular ketchup and balsamic vinagar?
ReplyDeleteMEATLOAF??? DID SOMEONE SAY MEATLOAF??? Give me a fork and I'm all over it!! Thank God our Mama's know how to make this comfort food!! My Mother is gone now and I sure do miss her and her delicious cooking!!
ReplyDeleteI love collecting meatloaf recipes and this one is going in that collection!! Pinning it!!
this looks delicious! I love the glaze
ReplyDeleteI am excited to try this. We aren't big meatloaf eaters, but several years ago I had some with a balsamic glaze at a restaurant while traveling. It was divine and stuck with me enough to think about trying to replicate it. This will surely get tried out soon.
ReplyDeleteCOULD I USE A MEATLAF PAN INSTEAD?
ReplyDeleteI must have the only husband on the planet that HATES meatloaf. I love it and make it and love the next day sammys! I have tried every meatloaf recipe just about on the planet and he just will not eat it. He will take a bite and shake his head.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but this is the worst meatloaf I've ever eaten. I won't make this again. way too much milk for 1 lb of ground beef, I ended up with mush. wasted a whole pound of expensive ground beef. most of your other recipes are pretty good, had other failures following a recipe exactly to the letter.
ReplyDeleteYou must have done something wrong or changed the recipe Anonymous. I made this and it was great!
DeleteDid you use a whole cup of bread crumbs?
DeleteThis is the best meatloaf I have ever eaten. It is perfect just as it is written and way more moist than it looks in that picture. My family is already asking me to make it again. Thank you for another amazing recipe.
ReplyDeleteOh was wondering if you could chop up some onion and green pepper?
ReplyDeleteIn the oven at this very moment!
ReplyDeleteHere's an easy and delicious meatloaf for your files....add beefy onion soup mix with just a little water and a half cup or so of your favorite BBQ sauce...mix and bake! It really is savory and satisfying! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI use KitchenAid mixer with paddle attachment to mix my meatloaf.
ReplyDeleteMade the meatloaf for me did not care for it.
ReplyDeleteBest meatloaf!!!
ReplyDeleteMeatloaf is an all time comfort food for us : mash potatoes please! Thank you.
ReplyDelete