This post may contain affiliate links.
Try this easy Meatloaf recipe, typically known as American classic comfort food, and the whole family will love you for it. Made with beef mince, it’s a hearty and tasty dish but so simple to make at home.
There are so many beef mince recipes that many of us cook regularly, but many of us Brits aren’t overly familiar with the classic Meatloaf.
It’s a classic American dish but we still do have it in the UK too. I have been making my own version of it for years, but not with gravy as is a little more traditional here, but instead with a tasty tomatoey, rich sauce that gives it lots of flavour and makes it nice and juicy.
The meatloaf cooks right in the sauce, which means less washing up (always a win!) and hands-off cooking.
If you’re looking for an alternative to your regular Spag Bol or Chilli Con Carne, I promise you won’t regret making this. It gives us something entirely different and is really delicious.
Why you’ll love this easy Meatloaf recipe
⭐️ Simple but special beef mince recipe
⭐️ All baked in one pan for convenience
⭐️ Greatalternative to a roasting joint
Sarah’s Notes
This Meatloaf is a baked dish which takes about an hour to cook, but after the initial prep it’s pretty hands off.
It’s also a simple recipe but to make it easier to bring the loaf together, there’s a step-by-step video guide below to walk you through it.
I love to make it for a cheaper, easier and less labour intensive alternative to a Sunday roast because it’s still satisfying enough to serve up as a hearty family dinner.
I serve mine with greens and mashed potato, but it would also go with plenty of other types of sides.
Meatloaf Ingredients
- Oil – Use olive oil or sunflower oil.
- Beef mince – I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to keep an eye on it if you go for this.
- Breadcrumbs – From a packet is fine, I like Panko type.
- Herbs – Garlic powder and onion powder.
- Egg – One, beaten.
- BBQ sauce – This flavours the beef nicely.
- To make the sauce: Onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, tinned tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
- To season – Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How to make Meatloaf
1. Mix the meat ingredients (minus the oil) in a clean bowl, with a good pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Press the mince firmly into a loaf tin. Heat some oil in a large pan and place the meatloaf on top. Bake as per the full recipe below.
3. Meanwhile, make your sauce in a bowl with a good pinch of salt and pepper then set aside.
4. Half way through the cooking time, remove the meatloaf from the oven, pour the sauce around it and spoon a little of the sauce over the top of the meatloaf. Continue to bake until cooked. Slice and serve.
Substitutions
- Mince – You could make this recipe turkey or chicken mince if you like but it won’t be quite as tender.
- Proteins – You could bulk this up with a can of beans, lentils or cooked vegetables to the sauce.
Leftovers
In the fridge If you have leftovers, form a queue at the fridge as this is so tasty as a snack! You can add it to a sandwich, or wrap, or just eat it on its own. You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days.
In the freezer This is great to freeze. You could freeze it before or after cooking. Just defrost it in the fridge overnight and then cook as instructed from raw, or heat through for 25-30 minutes if it’s already cooked. Check it’s piping hot.
Recipe Tips
Slicing
Ideally, you’d leave this to cool for 10 minutes before slicing it. But, if you don’t have time, don’t worry. It might be a little more crumbly if you slice it while it’s warm, but it won’t affect the flavour.
Loaf tin
I use one of these to act as a ‘mould’ to shape the meatloaf. Press the meat in firmly and then turn the tin over and tip it out (a sharp bang and it should come out in one piece!)
If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can simply mould the meatloaf with your hands into shape.
More beef mince recipes…
Under 15 minutes
Sticky Beef Mince Stir Fry {15 Minute Meal}
Beef Mince Recipes
Sheet Pan Kebabs
Under 30 minutes
Beef Burritos Recipe {30 Minute Meal}
FAQs
Yes! This is a great one to make ahead of time and freeze for later. You have the option of preparing it and freezing it raw, or you could cook it and then freeze it once it’s cooled. It will need defrosting in the fridge overnight, and if you’re cooking from raw, follow the recipe, or if it’s pre-cooked, heat it through for 25-30 minutes. It will need to be piping hot before serving.
Don’t worry! If you feel like it’s drying out as it’s cooking with the sauce, cover it with a lid or tin foil and allow it to continue cooking.
It’s really hard to tell if the meat is cooked through as you won’t be looking at the inside (!), so for this recipe I would recommend checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. I find this one to be a good option. There are cheaper ones out there but this one tends to be really reliable.
Sure – simply assemble the Meatloaf until it’s ready to bake, then pop it in the fridge until you’re ready. This is particularly helpful to do on a busy weekend when you’re out and about during the day!
This will go with loads of different side dishes for a main meal. I usually make mine with greens and simple mash, but the kids also love it with Wedges, Smashed Potatoes, Homemade Oven Chips or corn on the cob.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Easy Meatloaf
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 2 tsp Oil
- 750 g (1.5 lb) Beef mince
- 50 g (0.5 cup) Breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tsp Onion powder
- 1 Egg, Beaten
- 4 tbsp BBQ sauce
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the sauce:
- 2 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 800 g (3.3 cups) Tinned tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C fan/200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
- Assemble the meatloaf: Mix the meat ingredients (minus the oil) in a clean bowl with a good pinch of salt and pepper, then press it into a loaf/log shape (see recipe notes below).
- Into the oven: Drizzle the oil in a large oven safe pan and place the meatloaf on top. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Make the quick sauce: While this is in the oven, make your sauce by mixing all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, with a good pinch of salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Pour it in: After 30 minutes, remove meatloaf from the oven, pour the sauce around it and spoon a little of the sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
- Turn it down and cook on: Turn the oven down to 160°C fan/180°C/360°F/Gas Mark 4 and put the meatloaf back in for 30 minutes.
- Time to serve: Check it is cooked through (with a meat thermometer if you have one) before serving.
Did you make this recipe? Click here to let us know how it went and give it a ⭐️ rating! Your feedback helps us to make more recipes you really want.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutritional values are per portion unless otherwise stated.
This recipe was first published here on October 27th, 2022 and was fully updated with a new and improved recipe and step-by-step videos on March 3rd, 2026.
This post was originally published on March 3, 2026 and updated later to make improvements.
Made this again today but I didn’t have an bbq sauce so added red onion chutney to mince mix and also mince was 15% fat so very juicy meatloaf. I always add a teaspoon of sugar to the tomato sauce. Yum!!!
Thanks for the lovely review!
This recipe received a round of applause from my children when I put it on the table, unheard of! My eldest said it was divine! Thank you so much.
This is the best meatloaf recipe I’ve come across. I’m thinking of serving the mix as meatballs or burgers.
I love the sauce – it’s strong, but I like that. It could be tempted by adding yoghurt at the end.
This was a big hit in our house so flavoursome with potato wedges and corn on the cob. Definitely going to be making this again soon.
Blimey….i made this today…..
I love flavoursome food but the sauce was way too powerful…
So ive separated the loaf away from the sauce and im going to temper the sauce down but not sure how….maybe a bit of stock….
Any ideas anyone ?????
I don’t like the cumin so I’m leaving that out next time.
Flippin’ ‘ell, this was LUSH!!! I had meatloaf once as a kid and it was horrible, so never tried it again but took a chance on this and so glad I did! Even fussy child ate all of it!! We put mozzarella on top for the last 5 mins of cooking – made it even more gorge!!!
Can you cook this on the air fryer?
yes, no tin, just baking paper.
So is the total coming time 1 hour?
Put the meat mixture in for 30, take it out add sauce cook for 30?
So 1 hour?