This Classic Easy Meat Loaf is an old family favorite that always gets rave reviews!
Don’t mess with a man and his meat loaf. Words to live by at our house.
Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. A classic meal that never, ever goes out of style.
This is one meal Tom really enjoys. It brings back memories of his childhood.
His mom, Grandma, as we all called her, did not like to cook. It wasn’t that she wasn’t good at it, she just didn’t enjoy it.
She wasn’t adventurous in the kitchen. She had certain go-to meals that she served on repeat, and this Classic Easy Meat Loaf was one of them.
She gave me this recipe and her meatballs and sauce recipe when Tom and I first got married.
And I learned early on not to change a single thing about either one, because after eating them for years, Tom could detect any slight change, and according to Tom you should never mess with success.
Grandma wasn’t into long lists of ingredients for her recipes either, so this classic meat loaf is a combination of only a handful of ingredients, but makes for one delicious loaf.
A Few Cook’s Notes for Classic Easy Meat Loaf Recipe:
You can make this meat loaf with a mixture of beef and pork and omit the veal, if desired. I would then use 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef and 1/2 lb. ground pork.
Tom swears the saltines make a difference, so if you know what’s good (lol!) don’t substitute regular bread crumbs.
I add my saltines to a Ziploc bag and crush with my rolling pin. First I crush the 20 saltines for the loaf, then I crush the final 3 for the topping.
Grandma’s recipe calls for meat loaf mix, a combo of beef, pork and veal that you can find at your local market, eggs, chili sauce, chopped onion, garlic, bacon, Worcestershire sauce and crushed saltine crackers.
It’s topped with extra chili sauce and a few more crushed saltines and baked in a loaf pan.
I serve it with mashed potatoes and green beans. Never anything different.
You know. Why mess with success? Enjoy!
Classic Easy Meat Loaf
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 lbs. meat loaf mix, combination of beef, pork and veal
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 4 slices bacon, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup chili sauce, divided
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 23 saltine crackers, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together meat loaf mix, onion, bacon, garlic, eggs, 1/2 cup chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and 20 crushed saltine crackers until well combined.
- Using your hands, shape mixture into a loaf and place in prepared pan. Top the loaf with the remaining 1/4 cup of chili sauce. Spread with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with remaining 3 crushed saltine crackers.
- Bake on the middle rack for 1 hour, or until meat thermometer registers 155 degrees F. (My loaf took about 65 minutes to reach 155 degrees F) Let meat loaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Meatloaf is my dad’s all-time favorite meal but when I was growing up my mom rarely made it since the rest of us didn’t like it. I think next time I see him I’ll surprise him with this one–I know he’ll love it!
This is one of Tom’s all time favorite dishes Kelsie! I was never a huge fan of meat loaf, but Tom’s Mom’s recipe won me over! Happy Monday! Hope you have an awesome week!
You got that right! Meatloaf never goes out of style and for good reason! So delish! Totally craving this right now and it’s only 9:30am. Pinned :) Happy Monday, my friend.
Go for it Dawn! Tom would polish off the whole loaf if I let him! Lol! Have a great week. And thanks so much for pinning!
I was never a fan of meatloaf as a kid, but strangely enough I always love a cold meatloaf sandwich! Now it’s the opposite – Meatloaf is okay, but a meatloaf sandwich – no thanks! I like the idea of adding the saltine crackers! They add a little salt and a little crunch.
A cold meat loaf sandwich was always my Gram’s favorite Kathy!
YUM! You already know how I feel about meatloaf! A definite childhood favorite! Love your addition of bacon! Pinned!
Thanks Annie! Tom totally LOVES his Mom’s recipe!
We love a good meatloaf in our house, Mary Ann! And to be honest, we’re even more about the next day sandwiches than the first meal! Your meatloaf looks just perfect – can’t wait to try your recipe!
The sandwiches are the best, I totally agree Marissa! Hope you enjoy it!
When I first came to this country over forty years ago the postman and I woul share meatloaf recipes. He had no ne just like your husband ‘s grandma. What kind of chili sauce did you use?
I use the kind Tom’s mother recommended. It’s Heinz. I don’t change anything up with her recipe. Tom would be able to figure it out! Lol!
I apologize for all the mistakes I made and I saw the Heinz chili sauce on one of you gorgeous photos.
No problem at all Gerlinde!
Meatloaf is definitely one of those nostalgic meals that brings back memories of growing up! I know when I was younger my mom made meatloaf at least every other week. It’s definitely been entirely too long since I’ve had (or made) meatloaf! This recipe looks just perfect, Mare and your loaf looks to die for delicious! Perfect comfort food! Pinning to try! Cheers!
Tom loves when I make his Mom’s recipes Chey, especially this and her meatballs and sauce! I was never a big meat loaf person, but Grandma’s meat loaf is so easy and tasty it won me over! Thanks for pinning! Happy Monday!
Looks awesome Mare
Thanks Jimmy! I’m sure you probably enjoyed this at the Dwyers at some point growing up! Come on over and I’ll make it for you and Chris for dinner one night!
I love the story behind this – and that you couldn’t make any changes or Tom would notice :) It must be a winner!
If I try to change anything up in either recipe, he instantly detects it Katherine!
I’ve always loved a nice classic meatloaf – and this one looks amazing! My mom always made it with just ground beef, but I’m a bit more adventurous! Kudos to Tom’s grandma for including bacon, and Worcestershire – two “magical” ingredients. I’ve never tried saltines instead of bread crumbs, but they seem like they’d be perfect here. – thanks for the tip! This is perfect comfort food year-round! Thanks, Mary Ann!
This one is a total winner Laura! All Grandma’s ingredients totally work together deliciously! Hope you give it a go!
Meatloaf is an all time classic! Will have to give your recipe a try! Comfort food at its finest!
Thanks Kev! Hope you enjoy it!
One of my all time favorites, this looks awesome!!
Tom’s too Matt! Thanks!
What is it with men and meatloaf?! My husband loves it too. I used to make it all the time when we first got married, but haven’t made it in years. This is totally inspiring me to make it again, and I’m definitely giving this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing Mary Ann!
know, right?! I bet you’d love the recipe Leanne!
We love meatloaf! It’s one of my favorite classic dishes that takes me back to my mom’s table! Looks so good!
Thanks Leigh Ann!
What is it about men and meatloaf? It’s the same with my husband and my son now, too. Yours looks simply perfect!
Grandma knew how to make her meat loaf Jennifer! There’s no messing with her recipe!
Ah meatloaf… there’s something so comforting about it. Honestly I haven’t had it since I was a kid, but yours sure does look delicious!
I know right?! Brings back childhood memories for lots of people Natasha!
I’m craving all the comfort food this week and meatloaf sounds perfect!
It’s total comfort food Laura! My husband Tom LOVES it!
Sounds like a great recipe. Looking forward to making Do you add the bacon uncooked?
Yes you do Jeff. Hope you enjoy it!