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1. **Preheat Your Oven**
Start by preheating your oven to **375°F (190°C)**. This gives your oven time to come to the right temperature while you prep the meatloaf.
2. **Prepare the Meat Mixture**
In a large mixing bowl, combine the **ground beef** and **ground pork**. Add the **bread crumbs**, **milk**, **egg**, **onion**, **garlic**, and the **garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper**. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until it’s just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want to avoid compacting the meat.
4. **Make the Glaze**
In a small bowl, whisk together **ketchup**, **brown sugar**, and **mustard** (if using). This mixture is your sweet and tangy glaze that will bring the meatloaf to life. Pour the glaze over the top of the meatloaf, spreading it evenly with the back of a spoon.
5. **Bake the Meatloaf**
Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for about **45-50 minutes**. The meatloaf should be fully cooked through, and the glaze will have caramelized on top, giving it that beautiful glossy finish. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read about **160°F (71°C)** when done.
7. **Slice and Serve**
After resting, slice the meatloaf into generous portions. Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad for the perfect comfort meal.
– **Minimal Prep Time**: There’s no need for complicated steps—just mix, shape, bake, and glaze. It’s that easy.
– **Full of Flavor**: The combination of beef and pork, along with the simple seasoning, creates a savory base that’s perfectly complemented by the sweet and tangy glaze.
– **Juicy and Tender**: The milk and breadcrumbs keep the meatloaf moist, so every bite is juicy, not dry or crumbly.
– **Versatile**: This meatloaf pairs perfectly with so many sides, from mashed potatoes to roasted veggies to a simple green salad. You can even turn leftovers into meatloaf sandwiches for a next-day treat.
– **Don’t Overmix**: Overworking the meat mixture can lead to a dense, tough loaf. Gently mix just until everything is combined.
– **Rest the Meatloaf**: Letting the meatloaf rest after baking helps keep the slices juicy and intact when you cut into them.
– **Use Lean Ground Meat**: For the best texture and flavor, aim for a blend of 80% lean ground beef and 20% fat, combined with the pork for richness.
– **Customize the Glaze**: Feel free to add a bit of **Worcestershire sauce**, **hot sauce**, or **smoked paprika** to the glaze for an extra layer of flavor.
### Conclusion
Give this recipe a try, and I promise—this won’t be your grandmother’s meatloaf. It’s better. Way better.