Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Breadcrumbs
Our easy meatloaf recipe is made with Italian breadcrumbs, green bell peppers, and onions. Nothing beats a homemade meatloaf loaded with spices and topped with ketchup.
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Is there anything better than a homemade meatloaf? Tender, juicy ground beef, mixed with spices, and breadcrumbs.
It really doesn’t get much better than that. For today’s recipe we’re sharing our easy meatloaf with breadcrumbs.
This is the meatloaf I grew up eating and it is delicious! So, shall we get started?
How to make a meatloaf with breadcrumbs:
First, start by dicing the onions and peppers.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
Next, crack the egg into a bowl and whisk it. Transfer the egg into a large mixing bowl.
After that, add the ground meat, onions, peppers, breadcrumbs, and meatloaf spices to the same bowl.
Then, using your hands, mix the everything together (expect the ketchup).
Afterward, place the raw meatloaf onto the sheet pan and shape it into a loaf.
At this point, place the loaf into the oven to bake for at least 50 to 60 minutes.
You might want to bake it longer if you want a well-done meatloaf.
Once the meatloaf with breadcrumbs has cooked, remove it from the oven and top it with ketchup.
Now, place the beef back into the oven to bake for another 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it, if the ketchup starts to burn, remove it immediately!
Last, after the 10 minutes have passed, remove the beef from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Meatloaf Tips:
- Meatloaf seasoning packets may contain high amounts of sodium. You can make your own blend by using a mixture of seasoned salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, thyme, and ground mustard.
- Kim and I use ground sirloin in our easy meatloaf recipe. But, that’s because I prefer a medium to medium-well cook time. Now, you can use whatever blend of ground beef you wish; however, please make sure you cook the meat until it reaches at least 160°F at its thickest spot.
- The peppers and onions in the recipe are optional, you don’t have to put them into the dish.
That’s it, the easy meatloaf recipe with breadcrumbs is done! Kim and I hope you enjoy this offering and wish you all the best 🙂
Serve this with a side of scalloped potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, French onion potato bake, or a Caesar salad and you’re in business! For dessert, try out blueberry crisp topped with my crumble topping with oats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this meatloaf take from start to finish?
It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 70 to 75 minutes in the oven, so roughly 80-ish minutes total including the rest time. Ovens vary, so check yours around the 45 minute mark. Be aware that meatloaf may take more than the suggested time to bake in some ovens.
Do I have to add the ketchup at the beginning?
No, and you shouldn’t. Everything gets mixed together except the ketchup, which goes on top after the loaf has baked so it glazes instead of dries out. If you add it at the beginning, the sugars in the ketchup will burn.
Why do I need to let the meatloaf rest before slicing?
Letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven helps it hold together, so your slices stay neat instead of crumbling apart. It also keeps the meatloaf from drying out.
Can I use my own seasoning instead of a packet?
Yes. Meatloaf seasoning packets can be high in sodium, so feel free to stir together your own blend using seasonings you already have on hand and use it in place of the packet. In case you do want to use a store-bought packet, you’ll find them in the spice aisle next to gravy packets and taco seasoning packets.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This one makes 4 servings. If you’re feeding a bigger crowd, you can double it, though you’ll want to add extra baking time and check for doneness at around 55 to 60 minutes.
More Classic Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ground beef
- 1 ½ ounces meatloaf seasoning, or your own blend
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- ¼ cup white onion, finely diced
- ½ cup ketchup
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the ketchup.1 large egg16 ounces ground beef½ cup Italian breadcrumbs1 ½ ounces meatloaf seasoning¼ cup green bell pepper¼ cup white onion
- Shape the mixture into a loaf form, and transfer it to the baking sheet.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 160°F at the thickest part.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven, and brush the ketchup over the top half of the loaf. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes then allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before serving.½ cup ketchup
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients and a serving size of about 4 ounces of the meatloaf. Actual calories will vary.
- Ground sirloin is recommended, however, feel free to use any type of ground beef but be sure that the meat reaches 160 degrees before serving.
how would you adjust cook time for doubling the recipe?
Good Morning Carley, that’s a good question. If you decide to separate it into 2 loafs, then you really shouldn’t have to adjust the cooking time too drastically. Alternatively, you could create a loaf that’s longer and cook it on a sheet pan. The thicker the meatloaf is, the longer it will have too cook.
I recommend purchasing and using a meat thermometer. With that tool, you can verify the internal temperature (in the center of the loaf). It needs to hit 160 degrees F (71.1 C) in the middle of the meatloaf. Otherwise, it’s a guessing game to figure out how much time is needed when the amount of beef is doubled. I hope this information helps, have a lovely day!