This old-fashioned meatloaf recipe is one I have used forever, tweaked here and there but always came back to this original recipe. It was the recipe my grandparents used, and their parents used, so you know it's good! This is a fantastic recipe to make when you are low on funds. Quick to throw together and you possibly have all the ingredients already.
The Best Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe You Will Eat
I LOVE to cook it in the meatloaf recipe in a glass “bread” pan that was my grandparent's, and besides the chip on one side, it still does the job! I swear it makes it taste better even though I can't prove it!
You can also make this recipe and make individual meatloaves. Shape them and places them on a cookie sheet (tip use foil for easy cleanup!) or into this mini loaf pan and just adjust the cooking time down depending on the sizes you make.
No joke the mini loaf pan is AMAZING! You can find it on Amazon, check out the price!
Make sure to pair it with our Easy Gravy Recipe!
Psssttt readers who loved this recipe also loved our Italian Parmesan Crusted Steak. Plus we have a whole list of other easy recipes.
The best part?! You can easily make this recipe in the Instant Pot! Check out our Instant Pot Meatloaf directions!
Related: Sage Meatloaf Recipe
Meatloaf Ingredients

2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons snipped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
1/4 cup Ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Related: Instant Pot Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese Recipe
Directions for Old Fashioned Meatloaf

First, in a large bowl combine eggs and milk.

Stir in breadcrumbs.

Next add onion parsley, salt, sage, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
Related: Lazy Beef & Noodles

Mix them together a few times then add in the beef and mix well.
I suggest using your hands, and this is how I was taught, it mixes faster and better than using a spoon of any kind.
Shape your meatloaf into a ‘loaf' shape if you're not using a bread pan, though I suggest you do, or use the mini loaf pan I mentioned above.
Then go ahead and bake in a 350-degree oven for 50 minutes. Then make sure to spoon off excess fat.
Related: NEW! As Seen On TV Copper Chef Perfect Loaf Pan With Insert And Lid
Keep in mind meatloaf can take longer to cook the thicker your meatloaf is. I like also making individual meatloaves for faster cooking time.

Mix together the ketchup, sugar, and dry mustard, mix it well then spread over the top of the meatloaf.

Then return to the oven for 10-15 minutes. This makes about six servings.
I love serving this with mashed potatoes, green beans, and my easy 7up biscuits.
If you love meatloaf like I do but are watching the calories, we love our Healthy Brown Sugar Meatloaf Recipe.
The Best Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe You Will Eat

This old-fashioned meatloaf recipe has been passed down for a few generations and is still one of my favorites meatloaf recipes ever! See why!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons snipped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/4 cup catsup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Instructions
- First, in a large bowl combine eggs and milk then stir in breadcrumbs. Next add onion parsley, salt, sage, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Mix them together a few times then add in the beef and mix well. I suggest using your hands, and this is how I was taught, it mixes faster and better than using a spoon of any kind.
- Shape your meatloaf into a 'loaf' shape if not using a bread pan, though I suggest you do, or use the mini loaf pan I mentioned above. Then go ahead and bake in a 350-degree oven for 50 minutes. Then make sure to spoon off excess fat.
- Mix together the ketchup, sugar, and dry mustard, mix it well then spread over the top of the meatloaf.
- Then return to the oven for 10-15 minutes. This makes about six servings.
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Nutrition Information
Serving Size
1 gramsAmount Per Serving Unsaturated Fat 0g
So there you have it, my version of an old-fashioned meatloaf recipe or my grandma's meatloaf. I hope you’ll give it a try! If you do, please let me know how it turns out for you. I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, happy cooking!
Yummy! Thanks so much! I made this tonight!
I loved this recipe. The only thing I changed was no brown sugar (not a fan of sweet). I just used ketchup and Dijon mustard. I’ll be making this often.
You did not state how much ground beef to use.
1 1/2 pounds as listed 🙂
This really takes 7 hours to cook? Or is it a mistake on top where it show prep time and cook time? Thank you.
No an hour and 10 minutes, but the recipe card shows it as 70 minutes.
I also add a little nutmeg to the sauce with the dry mustard, brown sugar and ketchup. Really good! Was from my mom who was an excellent cook!
1 1/2 pounds
Whats up with your cooking time? Does the seven hours include butchering the cow for the ground beef? I noticed the same cook time for your gravy recipe, which also sounds delicious. Just wondering so I know if I need to book a day off work. Thanks for the recipe, ain’t Pinterest just the absolute shizzle for pretty much everything in life ☺️
The recipe card program I use is having some problems lately. Every recipe says 7 hours. We are working to fix it. Sorry about that! Actual cooking times are in the directions of every recipe.
The recipe states 1 1/2 lbs of beef , thought it doesn’t show on directions ..I buy beef in large amounts and separate into 2 and 1 lbs and vacuum seal it
Meatloaf is a favorite around our house. Your recipe is very similar to the one I make 🙂
This looks so good!!! I will definitely try those on the weekend!!
not a big fan of meat loafs but my husband is and will definitely share this with him! looks easy to make! http://www.crayonized.com
Oh my gosh, yum. I love meatloaf and haven’t had it in years. I am going to be trying this out soon.
Meatloaf is such a yummy comfort food! Especially for cooler fall weather. Your recipe sounds super tasty!
Your yummy meatloaf recipe reminds me of my childhood. My mother would make meatloaf about once a month and top it with ketchup. This lovely recipe stirs up so many wonderful memories!
OMG! I haven’t had meatloaf in so long. Guess I’m headed to the store to pick up ingredients and start cooking now! Thanks for the recipe.
Would you believe I have never tried a meatloaf before? Then again I am a vegetarian so I would love to make a veggie version using your recipe so I will be pinning for later x ana
Wow that looks yummm.. I would love to share this post with my friends as I don’t eat meat 🙂
Looks easy enough for even me to do. Might add this to the meal rotation around here.
That looks really tasty and super easy to make! Yum!
I have tried similar recipes and I really love them. I can’t wait to try this one. I absolutely LOVE meatloaf.
This is so incredibly enticing. Would love to cook something similar or inspired by this! I will probably bookmark this for this weeks dinner!
Looks delicious! Old fashioned recipe still the best especially at home. Always reminds me of home 🙂
Tried this tonight for my family because it sounded good. Not so much. Very disappointed. It lacked flavor and the topping tasted like super sweet ketchup.
I made this tonight for dinner with fresh sage. It was really good! I am on a mission to find a go to meatloaf recipe and I think this one might just be it! Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe!
I tried this and I doubled the salt portion and added garlic instead of tyme. I sauteed the onion and bell pepper. It was juicy but I needed more sauce so I doubled the catsup portion, brown sugar and added some BBQ sauce. With thoes modifications it came out good.
I don’t cook but I think that I might try this recipe as it looks easy even for me.
This was awesome!!!!!! So moist (and I hate this word) and flavorful. It was gone in minutes, my super picky 2 year old ate 2 pieces!
I love this recipe but it takes a half hour longer to cook then what’s recommended when I make it.
Cooking time all depends on how thick your meatloaf is. I will add in a note on that 🙂
Ok, just sat down to dinner with this meatloaf. I took a couple of liberties with the recipe. I used saltine crackers instead of bread and added about 7 slivers of Bell pepper chopped fine to the ingredients. I must say it turned out rather well. Paired it with instant mashed potatoes. Washed down with water. Very good it ways/ is….
Going for seconds…..
Made this tonight. Added a half a diced green pepper also freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1/4 cup. Have to say absolutely delicious.
Thank you for sharing your recipe.
tried to add photo couldnt find where?
Hey Katherine
You can upload a photo to the Pinterest link for the recipe. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/191614159128187294/ You have the ability to say you “tried” the pin and upload a photo there. Thank you!
I made this tonight and it was the best I’ve ever had!! Certainly beat the off-the-cuff meatloaf I usually make. This was so moist and tender and the flavor was fantastic even though I didn’t have sage (it is now on the shopping list). This will absolutely get made again and again.
I made this and it was east to follow. I add bacon and used Dijon mustard instead of Dry.
Made this before and my husband loves it it is what he calls His football LOL
Sorry think I found a error in prep time above the last displayed ingredients. 1 hour 10min and cooking time 7 hour 27mins. However below after the demonstration it’s correct
I have used this recipe for the past 40 yrs! Exactly the same and will never change it! I always get rave reviews when someone tries it and always said it’s TO EASY to be that GOOD!
Seriously the best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever used. Simple steps, ingredients that I keep stocked, & simply delicious. Even my biggest critics are satisfied (my family) ☺️
My sister had a meatloaf recipe that she lost and she can not remember everything that went in it it did call for sausage to be mixed with the beef do you know wher I might find the recipe her husband said it was the best meatloaf he had evertasted
Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.
How do you make your mashed potatoes?
Hi Sara,
Peel, boil until soft, mix milk and sour cream and mix with a mixer until smooth.