Penn Herb Wellness Guide

Classic Meatloaf

Classic Meatloaf: Main Image

Quick Facts

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • Meatloaf:1-1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Topping:1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions

  • Heat oven to 350F. Measure 1/4 cup tomato sauce; combine with topping ingredients. Set aside.
  • Combine remaining tomato sauce with remaining meatloaf ingredients in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
  • Shape beef mixture into 8 x 4-1/2-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan. Spread topping over meatloaf. Bake in 350F oven 1 hour to medium (160F) doneness, until not pink in center and juices show no pink color.
  • Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Cut into slices.
Recipe courtesy of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association

Cook's Tips: To make soft bread crumbs, place torn bread in food processor or blender container. Cover; process, pulsing on and off, to form fine crumbs. One and one-half slices make about 1 cup crumbs. To save time and for a different presentation, beef mixture may be divided evenly and shaped into three 1-1/2-inch thick loaves. Place on rack in broiler pan; spread topping evenly over loaves. Bake in 350F oven 40 to 45 minutes to medium (160F) doneness, until not pink in center and juices show no pink color.

Note: Due to the natural nitrate content of certain ingredients often used in meatloaf, such as onions, celery and bell peppers, meatloaf may remain pink even when a 160F internal temperature has been reached. Always check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer to be certain it reaches 160F. Four-Pepper Meatloaf Variation: Prepare meatloaf as above, adding 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper to ground beef mixture. Nutritional information per serving: 297 calories; 23 g protein; 12 g carbohydrate; 17 g fat; 3.0 mg iron; 506 mg sodium; 112 mg cholesterol. Picadillo-Style Meatloaf Variation: Prepare meatloaf as above, omitting thyme and adding 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 cup raisins, 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed, to ground beef mixture. Nutritional information per serving: 316 calories; 23 g protein; 17 g carbohydrate; 17 g fat; 3.0 mg iron; 508 mg sodium; 112 mg cholesterol.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 402
  Calories from Fat 228 (57%)
(38%)Total Fat 25g
(46%)Saturated Fat 9g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
(40%)Cholesterol 121mg
(25%)Sodium 608mg
(15%)Potassium 520mg
Total Carbohydrate 20g
(7%)Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugars 5g
Sugar Alcohols 0g
(48%)Protein 24g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.

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The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of USregistered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.