Dad's Meat Loaf

(26 Votes)

Updated December 18, 2022

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SERVES: 6

COOK TIME: 1 Hr

Let's face it: we all have a favorite easy meat loaf recipe, including Dad. For Dad, the best meatloaf recipes call for a combination of beef and pork, as well as some essential but basic meatloaf seasonings and sauces. It's a good possibility that Dad's Meat Loaf could be everyone's new favorite easy meatloaf recipe! Plus, this classic meatloaf recipe is easy enough to be a weeknight meal, so you can whip it up any night for dinner.

What You'll Need

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/2 cup ketchup, divided
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon light brown sugar

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What to Do

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, onion, bread crumbs, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper; mix well. Press mixture into prepared pan.
In a small bowl, combine remaining ketchup and brown sugar; brush over meat loaf.
Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours, or until juices run clear. Allow to sit 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

Mr. Food Test Kitchen Tip!

It's important not to over-mix your meat loaf. Over-mixing can make your meat loaf dense and not as juicy. Also, if you want to end up with a really moist meatloaf, we recommend using ground chuck. However, because this meat loaf is made with a mix of beef and pork, you can use a leaner ground beef (90/10) and still end up with a moist and tender meat loaf.

For total comfort, why not serve this up with a side of our Classic Mashed Potatoes and Simple Home Style Green Beans?
This meatloaf with beef and pork recipe was inspired by our trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios and the 50's Prime Time Cafe. Click here to check out the other recipes in our "Taste of Disney" series!

If you love these recipes, then you'll love this FREE eCookbook!

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nanajellybean2 9880887

Oct 13, 2018

Can I make my own bread crumbs? and how would I make it?

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Test Kitchen Team

Oct 15, 2018

Hi there! To make your own bread crumbs place 4 to 5 slices of bread in a processor or blender until finely crushed. Add some Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Enjoy!

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nanajellybean2 9880887

Oct 15, 2018

Thank you so much for this information, big help.

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Member 0870643

Feb 06, 2018

I have been making roughly this same recipe for over 30 years. I use 90/10 ground beef with 1/2 lb ground sausage and I use broken up saltine crackers instead of Italian Bread Crumbs and I don't add the brown sugar. do not over mix very moist and everybody loves it

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jnet4121 3288553

Mar 02, 2017

I've made this twice now just as the recipe states and we love it!

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a53player 1528241

Jan 13, 2016

add a little Dijon Mustard to the Topping. gives a little tang to a great meatloaf.

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kennedy68

Nov 22, 2015

This is by far the most delicious meatloaf recipe ever,appealing across the boards to all ages. Everyone who has tasted it at our table has now replaced their current recipe with this one.Nothing funky about the ingredients it simply produces the most delicious result every time.

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jpdmom27 9004034

Feb 05, 2015

Made this meatloaf exactly per recipe and it was delicious. Will definitely make it again.

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Dendy2

Feb 03, 2015

No one has mentioned this, but I don't think 1 1/4 hrs is long enough to cook 2s of meat and all the other stuff that was added! My own meatloaf recipe is almost identical to this, but I use 1/2 of sausage only, and it takes 1 1/4 hrs. for it to bake. So that extra half pound is going to take a little longer in the oven- at least another 15 to 30 minutes (at least it would in my oven).

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whosyournana 9622226

Feb 05, 2015

the key to cooking meat loaf with pork included to make loaf a bit thinner and longer. this works well and does not change the flavor.

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Steve

Sep 22, 2016

How does that work with the 9" x 5" pan?

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MomB

Sep 23, 2016

I free form my meatloaf in a glass dish. I can then get it longer and thinner than in the typical "loaf" pans.

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hjengel 3228847

Jan 30, 2015

This recipe work very well with 1/2 Cup of oatmeal instead of bread crumbs for those who want to avoid gluten.

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cjbyland 6413918

Jan 18, 2015

Flavorful and hearty meal.

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missd

Nov 16, 2014

Really a great tasting recipe....we prefer tomato sauce instead of ketchup.....other than that we enjoyed this recipe alot.

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jynx

Feb 16, 2015

I like using a mild salsa instead of ketchup, kinda livens things up a bit.

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meatandtaters

May 25, 2017

Meatloaf CAN be covered in brown gravy instead of ketchup, etc. all the time. Or the way I like it, covered with no sauce.

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TenorsMom

Apr 09, 2013

I have been trying to duplicate my Mom's meatloaf for years. Well, this is it. The only difference is, my crushed up saltine crackers for the bread crumbs. I did deviate a little, I had some garlic Parmesan croutons, so I crushed them up for the bread crumbs. I made four mini loaves so I have leftovers for more meals. YUM!!!

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mafltransplant

Mar 16, 2013

The is THE BEST meatloaf! I've served it several times to family & friends, and everytime someone new tastes it, they request the recipe. It's now my "go to" meatloaf recipe.

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Renee King

Mar 04, 2013

I made this, it was awesome. Added to the recipe book I making for my sisters

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lala1941jan 4234989

Feb 28, 2013

The best meatloaf recipe,,, mom made this for us.

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desiringholiness 0758800

Aug 27, 2012

I made this, but in individual size portions (used a muffin tin) so it bakes in only 15 minutes instead of an hour! my whole family loved it!

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TenorsMom

Jun 23, 2012

This was totally AWESOME!!!!

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egayle1 0156090

Jun 09, 2012

Tried this receipe last week. Totally awesome and a different twist on the way I ususally make meatloaf. There wasn't much grease if at all (guess the bread crumbs took care of that). The Worcestershire sause is a favorite of mine; the light brown sugar was a great new taste. It's appropritately named and I was glad to make it in memory of my Dad, who loved to cook with no recipe. It tasted like something he would create. Thanks for sharing.

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Bo b

Jun 07, 2012

What do you use as your "prepared pan?" I have some heavy aluminum steak platters that I inherited from my parents. I turn one of these over in a foil-lined roasting pan and mold the loaf on the flat bottom of the platter, making an attractive oval shape. As the loaf cooks the grease can drain off, and down the sloped rim of the platter and into the lined roasting pan. Since the sides of the loaf are exposed, more crust can develop and there is more area for the topping. I find it takes about an hour and twenty minutes for the loaf to reach the correct temperature. I take it of the oven after an hour, check the temperature and add the topping at this time.

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ckpatric 7042778

Jun 05, 2012

I have always used Old Fashion Oats instead of crackers or bread crumbs and V-8 Hot and Spicy for the sauce or ketchup. Also add in some Frank's Red Hot Sauce to the mix and mix some of the Red Hot Sauce to the Ketchup for the topping..Really makes a moist meatloaf with a not hot, just very flavorful taste.

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Bo b

Jun 05, 2012

Oatmeal adds a gooey texture.

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jerzgirl192

Jun 05, 2012

For meatloaf recipes that call for ketchup or tomato sauce, Hunt's makes a seasoned tomato sauce for meatloaf. It's fabulous, has onion, garlic & tiny bits of green pepper. Can be found in the canned tomato sauce of most food stores. I found it in Walmart! I still use chopped onion but this sauce adds a great flavor. Use it on top too!

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lala1941jan 4234989

Jun 05, 2012

Great info, I will try that for sure, much better than plain ole ketchup.

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Bo b

Jun 05, 2012

I add some chopped green pepper to the mix and make the topping with ketchup and chili sauce, ground cumin and cayenne pepper for added spice.

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tlr721

Jun 05, 2012

Instead of ketchup, I use tomato sauce for an even better flavor.

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ngoff72 9488881

Jun 05, 2012

I use my Piquant sauce for the top of the meatloaf. It consists of 1/4 C ketchup, 3 Tbs. of brown sugar, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 1 tsp. dry ground mustard. This is so much better than any of the above entries.

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brandalla69yahoocom

Jun 05, 2012

MOM'S MEATLOAF is better ! Substitute the bread crumbs for 1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers and one heel of white bread crumbled and then add little bit of milk to it and mix with all ingredients. Be sure to cover top of meatloaf with ketchup after half baked- so it wont burn on top. (The crackers instead of the bread crumbs- causes the grease to expel from the loaf !)

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fabulousgranny 1966361

Jun 05, 2012

My mom use too make an awesome meatloaf, using these same ingredients. When I noticed the recipe , I saw that it is the same up until the ketchup, she used the Rotel chilles, mixed with a tad of ketchup on top, a few mins. before she removed the meat from the oven. She used the crackers but not the bread....you have an awesome mom too, I truly like your style

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TenorsMom

Jun 10, 2012

As the two of you, Mom's was made with saltine crackers, though I didn't know the reason why until I read your post, brandalla69yahoocom. There was one difference, she did not put anything on top of the meatloaf. I will make this with the crackers and try this topping. Bet it will be awesome!

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