Classic Meatloaf Recipe
This has been Joyous Home’s favorite classic meatloaf recipe since that fine day when our baby 9 entered the world. We were given the best homemade meatloaf, something we usually never got right with our best effort. The one ingredient we added, and one we never used again, got us our perfect meatloaf recipe forever.
What’s a Classic Meatloaf?
This may not be a classic meatloaf recipe because it’s truly moist! We’ve also never enjoyed oats in our meatloaf, if that was the ingredient that made it classic. We’ve changed things here and there a little over the years. I replaced the oats with Panko crumbs. However, a good substitute could be wheat crackers. You can even make homemade BBQ sauce for this using ketchup, brown sugar, and liquid smoke.
There is one ingredient (maybe two) that I know makes this ‘our classic’ meatloaf recipe the best. This has been key for a very unique taste. I wish I could say it was bacon. Ready? It’s the shredded carrots. A complete must in meatloaf, and the finer the better. Shred the carrots and chop them with a knife if necessary to make them smaller. (I failed to do this in the picture.) The brown sugar adds a sweetness along with the carrots, so don’t skip that either.
The carrots are going to add moisture and a unique flavor. The brown sugar, oh yummy. Mix it all up and pack it into foil-lined or parchment-lined pans.
Don’t forget to top the meatloaf with half of the BBQ sauce before baking and then a bit more when it’s almost done.
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Joyous Home’s Favorite Meatloaf
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Description
This is close to a dish we received one night after baby 9 was born. Oh, so delicious! The shredded carrot in this recipe is key to a yummy dish.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 cup finely shredded carrot
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup spicy panko crumbs
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 1/2 Tbsp. pepper
- 1 Tbsp. onion powder
- 1/2 Tbsp barbecue seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 9″ x 5″ dishes with foil or parchment. Each dish should serve 6-7.
- Mix all the above ingredients together in a bowl.
- Shape into foil lined pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, add more barbecue sauce to top.
- Bake another 20 minutes, test for doneness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Inactive Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dinners and Sides
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 19
- Sodium: 1401
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 51
- Cholesterol: 221
You won’t be sorry if you give our recipe a try. It’s super moist, and super full of flavor. Whatever your favorite classic meatloaf recipe is, try adding some shredded carrots and replacing the oats with something unique. Try some Italian bread or homemade onion straws on the side! Enjoy!
Don’t forget to add more BBQ sauce the last 20 minutes or so.
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