Ah, meatloaf—a true classic in the world of comfort food. It’s warm, hearty, and always a crowd-pleaser. In my house, this dish is basically a dinner bell. The kids come running, and if I’m lucky enough to have leftovers (spoiler: I rarely am), they disappear faster than you can say “second helping.”
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the kitchen: some of these ingredients might make you raise an eyebrow. Maple and brown sugar oatmeal? Mayonnaise? Trust me, it works. This meatloaf is a masterpiece of flavor-building, and once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever doubted me.
Oh, and one more thing—I’m a proud eyeballer. Measurements? Pfft. They’re more of a suggestion. Feel free to tweak and experiment to make this recipe your own!
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs ground chuck
- ¾–1 cup mayonnaise
- 2–3 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 eggs
- Worcestershire sauce, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- About half of a large sweet onion, diced (or any onion you like)
- 1–2 packets of maple and brown sugar oatmeal mix
- 1 packet Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix (Onion Mushroom used to be my go-to, but my man isn’t a fan of mushrooms—adapt or perish!)
- 1–1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- Garlic powder, to taste (optional)
- 2 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 1 can meatloaf sauce (for topping)
The links above are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog and helping to keep these recipes coming!
Let’s Make Some Magic
1. Preheat your oven.
Set it to 350°F. This is your warm-up—literally.
2. Sauté the onions.
Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Toss in your diced onions and let them cook until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute longer. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Mix it all together.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onions with the ground chuck, mayo, ketchup, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, oatmeal mix, soup mix, panko breadcrumbs, and your seasonings. Don’t be shy—dig in with your hands. If the mixture feels too wet, add more breadcrumbs. If it’s too dry, add a splash of ketchup or a bit of the canned meatloaf sauce. Trust your instincts!
get your hands in there
4. Shape your loaf.
Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased casserole dish or bread pan.
5. Bake and baste.
Pop it in the oven and let it cook for 30 minutes. After that, pull it out and pour the remaining canned sauce over the top. Spread it evenly for a glossy, delicious finish.
6. Finish baking.
Return the meatloaf to the oven for another 30 minutes. When it’s done, it might look a little greasy, but hey—comfort food isn’t about being squeaky clean, it’s about being delicious.
7. Rest and serve.
Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This step is key for locking in those juices. Serve it with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or even mac and cheese if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
Pro Tip
This meatloaf is even better the next day (if it survives that long). Slice it up for the ultimate sandwich filler—because why stop at dinner when you can have comfort food for lunch, too?
Enjoy your new favorite meatloaf recipe, and don’t forget: cooking is all about having fun and making it your own. So grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!