Southern Meatloaf Recipe

My husband and kids run to the table when this Southern Meatloaf recipe is served. It comes together in under 10 minutes and is the perfect quick-fix weeknight dinner when your crew craves comfort food! You can't beat this traditional Southern dinner served with creamy mashed potatoes and peas.

A good meatloaf is all about flavor and moisture. This one's got both in the bag. It's a classic, Southern-style meatloaf that's always served perfectly cooked and is as juicy as they come. The glaze on top is what sets this recipe apart from the rest. Once you try it, you'll never go back!

Why You'll Love This Southern-Style Meatloaf Recipe

It's the classic family dinner that is affordable and comes together so fast and easily. If you're looking for more recipes like this for busy nights, add this hot dog coney sauce and homemade hamburger helper to this week's dinnertime rotation.

Easy Assembly | There is nothing hard about this recipe! That's the beauty of it--literally fail-proof and beyond easy, just like our BBQ meatloaf. This recipe always delivers fully cooked, super juicy meatloaf with ease.

Short Prep Time | This meatloaf comes together in 10 minutes. Our topping technique for the meatloaf glaze means you get a gorgeous layer of sweet and savory glaze in every bite.

Minimal Cleanup | Don't worry about cleaning out that meatloaf pan. Our sheet pan technique makes the best meatloaf and means less cleanup for you! Be sure to check out the video if you've never seen this done before. We use the same technique for our Italian meatloaf--works like a charm 100% of the time!

The Meatloaf Glaze

A delicious meatloaf must be moist, and the loaf portion absolutely must be flavorful. But for an over-the-top meatloaf recipe the family will beg for again and again, you will want to follow this recipe to a T.

The glaze comes together with a simple mix of kitchen, spices, brown sugar, and Worcestershire. You add half at the start of the recipe and then half toward the end of the cook time. This ensures a nice, thick layer of sweet and savory meatloaf glaze in every forkful.

If you're Team Saucy, you'll adore our other comfort food favorites like chicken pot pie and smothered pork chops.

Southern Meatloaf Ingredients and Substitutions

Ground Beef | We use 80/20 ground beef, but you can also sub in ground turkey for a leaner protein. Or go the opposite route and add some ground pork. If using ground pork, use 1 pound of ground pork and 1 pound of ground beef.

Breadcrumbs | We always have breadcrumbs on hand. They work wonderfully in meatloaf recipes (and meatballs, too!). For this recipe, you can use regular or Italian-style breadcrumbs.

However, can also use crushed Saltines. I recently saw a recipe that used cornbread instead of breadcrumbs. This is a perfectly fine sub if you happen to have stale, leftover cornbread. For a gluten-free meatloaf, quick-rolled oats work great.

Milk | Milk contributes to locking in that moisture and good texture you want in a perfect meatloaf.

Eggs | The egg combined with the breadcrumbs helps to bind the meatloaf mixture together. One large egg is all you need.

Meatloaf Seasoning | A simple but powerful mix of Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder added to the breadcrumb mixture ensures the seasoning gets evenly distributed.

Meatloaf Glaze | The star of this glaze is definitely ketchup. What is meatloaf without it anyway? Combine with brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Be sure to use good, high-quality ketchup for best results. 

How to Make Southern Meatloaf

Ready the Oven | Preheat the oven to 350° and have ready a rimmed sheet pan lined with foil, preferably nonstick foil.

Mix Meatloaf Base | In a large bowl, use a fork to mix together the base of your meatloaf: breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the milk, egg, and Worcestershire and mix once more.

Add Ground Beef | Add the ground beef and minced onion and mix with your hands until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Take care not to overmix, which may cause it to become tough. Mix lightly with your hands or a fork.

Transfer to Baking Sheet | Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and shape it into a narrow loaf (The meatloaf will spread as it bakes).

Make the Glaze | To make the topping, combine ketchup, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine.

Add Glaze + Bake | Pour half of the sauce mixture over the meatloaf and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven, carefully pour over the remaining sauce, and bake an additional 30-35 minutes.

Rest, Serve, + Enjoy | Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy!

The Best Temperature for Cooking Meatloaf

When it comes to cooking the perfect meatloaf, we've found 350°F is the best temperature. This moderate level of heat allows the meatloaf to cook all the way through to the center without over-browning and overcooking the exterior.

How Long to Bake Meatloaf at 350°F?

The meatloaf is cooked for 35 minutes and then pulled to add the remaining glaze. It finishes in the oven for another 30-35 minutes.

Watch the Video

Sides for Meatloaf

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are a match made in heaven, but just about anything carby and comforting is a well-suited match for this dish. No one will complain over rolls, cornbread, and biscuits gracing the table.

Make it the ultimate kid-friendly dinner with shells and cheese and fried apples.

Vegetables galore pair well with meatloaf: creamed corn, green beans, collard greens, fried okra, or fried squash speak to the dish's Southern charm for sure. Not to mention a broccoli and cheese sauce and house salad.

If you're feeding a crowd, try this Southern meatloaf next to a hearty salad like this 7 Layer Salad and casseroles like cornbread dressing and corn casserole.

How to Store Leftover Meatloaf

Make Ahead | Meatloaf can be made a day in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Store | You can keep it stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Leftover meatloaf is amazing in a meatloaf sandwich or simply reheated on a plate next to mashed potatoes and green beans, but if you'd like to enjoy it beyond a few days, freeze it!

Freeze | You can freeze individually wrapped slices or whole. To freeze whole, wrap in plastic and then a layer or two of aluminum foil. Wrap individually sliced in aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. You can freeze for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

5 More Easy Southern Dinners to Try

• Creamy Chicken and Dumplings
• Texas Chili
• Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy
• Steak Fingers
• Crockpot Chicken and Gravy