Why does my meatloaf fall apart?
There can be many reasons why your meatloaf falls apart. The most common reason is that your meatloaf doesn’t have enough binding agents. To help your meatloaf stay together add things in like eggs and bread crumbs because they are key ingredients that bind meat stick together. Another reason why your meatloaf may be falling apart is that it is overcooked.
Do you have to put milk in meatloaf?
Milk is the preferred liquid for meatloaf, but there are some great substitutes if you do not want to use it. The reason milk is added in meatloaf is that it soaks the bread crumbs which add needed moisture to the meatloaf. If you personally do not want to use milk you can try using low sodium beef stock, chicken stock, water, or a non-dairy milk substitute.
Is it okay if my meatloaf is a little pink?
The color of your meatloaf will not tell you if it is done or if it is safe to eat. To tell if your meatloaf is fully cooked and safe to eat you need to take its internal temperature. For ground beef to be safe and fully cooked, it needs to reach an internal minimum temperature of 160 Fahrenheit. If your meatloaf is just a little pink but is 160 Fahrenheit, you are ready to eat.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in some of our other classic dinner recipes:
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Momma's Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 1 cup dried bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon. basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, knead together the ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, milk, egg, worcestershire sauce, salt, basil, oregano, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Shape the meat into a loaf and put it into the prepared pan. Bake in the 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
- Mix up the glaze in a small bowl by whisking together the ketchup, brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce. Brush it over the hot meatloaf.
- Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
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Pam says
This was so good! Easy to follow directions and I had all the ingredients on hand! I would make this again and will add to my list of “go to” dinners.
Jeanne says
Very close to my mother in- laws meatloaf. Very good, my family loved it too! Keeper for sure.
Shannon says
My family loved it! It is definitely on our to make again list 😋
Beverley Rivard says
It was the best ever It is on my reular cooking. List .
I wanted to eat the whole meatloaf Right away
II haved shared the meatloaf recipe
Ccannot wait to make i it again
Monica M Bazewicz says
I made this meatloaf and it was great. I won’t make any other meatloaf except this one. Thanks for the recipe.
Joey Calderon says
By far the best meatloaf my family has eaten
Amy says
My husband loved it! I’m not a big meatloaf lover and even I had 3 pieces. Great recipe! Love that little kick off red pepper, too.
Robin Bullinger says
Made this tonight, very good recipe! I used heavy cream, ran outta milk, it was really great!
)eannie says
Excellent meatloaf! Flavourful, moist, just delicious. I’ve found it very helpful to line the loaf pan with aluminum foil right up over the sides. Makes for easy lifting the meatloaf out of the pan to slice.
Terry says
I have made this twice, eaten half withe neighbors, froze the rest for a rainy day! I love this recipe.
I added lean ground sausage for a third of ground beef.
Joanne L says
Thank you for this delicious recipe. My 24 yr old son said it was the best meatloaf I have made…and I have made a lot!!!
Sarah says
I love your recipe. The only change I made is I usually add some grated carrot to mine. I like to sneak veggies in anywhere I can. THANKYOU for the recipe!!!
Steve Mahan says
This was so easy to make and it one of the best one that I have ever had Sorry Mom
KO says
Easy to make I changed the vreadcrumbs to italian breadcrumbs and it was awesome
Will says
Thanks.KO..i happen to be making it tonite..and i was wondering …cause I’m using Italian bread crumbs this time