Classic Easy Meatloaf

This Classic Easy Meatloaf is an old family favorite that always gets rave reviews! It takes no time to whip up and is delicious the night you make it and perfect for leftovers, if you've got any!

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Comfort Food, Ground beef, meatloaf mix

Servings: servings

Calories: 371kcal

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Ingredients

2 lbs. meatloaf 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 meatloaf 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.

Notes

You can make this meatloaf 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.

Nutrition