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Ina Garten’s Classic Meatloaf Recipe

5 from 140 reviews

Ina Garten’s Meatloaf is a cozy classic American dinner recipe that combines caramelized onions, ground chuck, and a flavorful mixture, baked to perfection with a tangy ketchup topping. This comforting dish serves 6 slices and is perfect for a hearty family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base

  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 2 medium Yellow onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground

For the Meat Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup Chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
  • 2 pounds Ground chuck
  • 1 cup Bread crumbs
  • 2 large Eggs, beaten

For the Topping

  • 1/2 cup Ketchup

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatloaf.
  2. Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add chopped onions, thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir occasionally for about 8 to 10 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
  3. Combine Onion Mixture: Add Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste to the skillet with onions. Stir well and remove from heat to let it cool slightly.
  4. Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chuck, the cooled onion mixture, bread crumbs, and beaten eggs. Gently mix with a fork until everything is evenly incorporated but not overworked.
  5. Shape and Top: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape on the prepared sheet pan. Spread the ketchup evenly over the top of the loaf as a flavorful glaze.
  6. Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
  7. Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute. Slice into 6 portions and serve warm for a comforting meal.

Notes

  • Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Make sure not to overmix the meatloaf mixture to keep it tender.
  • Using a meat thermometer ensures the perfect doneness and safety of the meat.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Ina Garten meatloaf, classic meatloaf recipe, baked meatloaf, comfort food, American dinner, easy meatloaf