Classic Meatloaf

Chef John's traditional meatloaf recipe uses classic ingredients like sautéed vegetables, spices, and bread crumbs. An old-fashioned glaze adds flavor to every slice.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 284 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
• 4 white mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
• 1 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce, or to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2.5 pounds ground chuck
• 0.5 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 0.5 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking dish with lightly greased foil.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across. Place in the prepared baking pan.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven just until the meatloaf is hot, about 15 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, stir brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon, and Sriracha for glaze in a small bowl until brown sugar has dissolved.

Step 5

Remove meatloaf from the oven. Spoon glaze on the top of the meatloaf with the back of a spoon, then pull a tiny bit glaze down the sides.

Step 6

Gather all ingredients.

Step 7

Place carrot, celery, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor; pulse until very finely chopped, almost to a purée. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Step 8

Add ground chuck to the vegetables, along with Worcestershire sauce, egg, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until ingredients are just combined. Sprinkle in bread crumbs and gently mix with your fingertips until just combined; don't overmix.

Step 9

Return to the oven, and bake until no longer pink inside, 45 to 75 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), so start checking at 45 minutes and continue baking until meatloaf reaches that temperature. Cooking time will depend on shape and thickness of the meatloaf.