Stuff You’ll Need
Meat Loaf
- ½ cup finely crushed Saltine crackers
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon fine salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ pounds ground beef, 80/20
- 1½ teaspoons vegetable oil
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 500°F and adjust the rack to the middle position. Place a broiler pan with a slotted top on the rack.
Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the crushed Saltine crackers, milk, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, mustard, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Add the ground beef and knead by hand until evenly combined. Shape the mixture into four tightly packed loaves, each about 4 by 3 inches.
Brown the Loaves
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking.
Place the meatloaves in the skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Make the Glaze
While the loaves brown, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and cider vinegar in a small bowl.
Bake the Meatloaves
Carefully transfer the browned loaves to the slotted top of the broiler pan.
Spoon 1 tablespoon of glaze over each loaf.
Bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, about 7 to 9 minutes.
Let the loaves rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Make Ahead Option
Form the loaves, wrap them in plastic, and refrigerate overnight. Before cooking, let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then proceed with browning.
40 Min. Mini Meat Loaves
Ingredients
Meat Loaf
- ½ cup finely crushed Saltine crackers
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon fine salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ pounds ground beef 80/20
- 1½ teaspoons vegetable oil
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500°F with broiler pan on middle rack.
- In a bowl, mix cracker crumbs, milk, Worcestershire, parsley, mustard, egg, spices, salt, and pepper. Add meat and mix by hand. Form into four 4×3-inch loaves.
- Brown loaves in a hot skillet, 2–3 min per side.
- Mix glaze: whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar.
- Transfer loaves to broiler pan, top each with 1 tbsp glaze, and bake until 160°F, 7–9 min. Rest 3 min before serving.
