Best Meatloaf Ever with Balsamic Glaze + Video
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Best Meatloaf Ever with Balsamic Glaze is amazing comfort food! Moist and delicious, this recipe comes together quickly and freezes perfectly.
Best Meatloaf Ever!
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, balsamic glazed meatloaf makes for the best meat loaf sandwiches I have ever eaten. Also, it’s freezer-friendly! I usually bake one and portion it out, then freeze it and pull it out as we want to eat it… Which is pretty often.
Recipe Tips
I have been making this recipe for well over 10 years now. I love that it has a little Italian flair.
A few tips:
- Don’t skip the balsamic glaze recipe!
The magic ingredient: Balsamic vinegar! The balsamic vinegar glaze on top consists of ketchup (I know, but it is delicious), balsamic vinegar and brown sugar.
- Uncover for better flavor
Remove the cover from the loaf pan during the final 15 minutes of cook time. As a result, the glaze will caramelize and give more flavor to the meal!
What to Serve with Balsamic Glazed Meatloaf
Munchkin loves this meal too, but likes the meatloaf mixed with mashed potatoes.
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 Amish White Bread.
Tonight we ate it with a side of Italian 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?
We hope you’ll agree that this really is the best balsamic glazed meatloaf ever.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Simple Comfort Foods to Make
- Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
- Balsamic Meatloaf Meatballs
- Our Italian Meatball Recipe
- Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Best Ever Meatloaf with Balsamic Glaze + Video
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 and breadcrumbs. 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 whisk it slightly. Add egg to the meat mixture. (This helps to prevent overworking the meat while combining.) Use your hands to combine ingredients well, being careful not to overwork the meat mixture.
- Form meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape 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. The sides of loaf should be lightly browned before removing foil.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, then remove from oven and allow the meatloaf to rest, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2011. Updated and republished February 2020.
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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!
I 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!
I 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.
Looks delicious and I love the added Italian flair!
Your pictures look really great, too, Donna!
Gorgeous meatloaf, Donna. I don't even remember the last time I made one. It sounds good!
Sounds like such a gourmet meatloaf, yum! Thanks, Chris
What a great idea. It's so fun to take a classic recipe and give it an update!
What 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!
oh my word!! we love meatloaf – sounds incredible 🙂
Sam @ fitness food & faith (giveaway today!)
Look delicious! gloria
Ive 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!
The meatloaf is savored with love. It gives me an idea to prepare that for our morning anniversary celebration on saturday
I freaking love meatloaf. I'm so classy =P
There is something about meatloaf with a sweet tangy glaze. When love that this has a balsamic glaze…yum!
We 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!
Awesome! So happy you loved it.
I'm trying this this weekend!! I've been looking for a great meatloaf recipe. Looks fabulous.
Awesome Emma! Enjoy and Let us know how it goes!
I 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.
Actually 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.
Yummy looking meatloaf! I love your food blog & just bookmarked it for the future explore. Will try with your recipe soon!
can you use the heinz balsamic ketchup insteadof regular ketchup and balsamic vinagar?
MEATLOAF??? 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!!
I love collecting meatloaf recipes and this one is going in that collection!! Pinning it!!
this looks delicious! I love the glaze
I 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.
COULD I USE A MEATLAF PAN INSTEAD?
I 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.
I'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.
You must have done something wrong or changed the recipe Anonymous. I made this and it was great!
Did you use a whole cup of bread crumbs?