Mennonite Girls Can Cook is a collection of recipes which were posted daily for a period of ten years from 2008 to 2018. We have over 3,000 delicious recipes that we invite you to try. The recipes can be accessed in our recipe file by category or you can use the search engine.

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Meatloaf



This is by far the best meatloaf I have ever had because it had this wonderful glaze on it that keeps it moist. Even if your family has not liked meatloaf in the past, I’d say you should try this one.
I got this recipe at least 25 years ago from my friend Debbie, the mom of one of my son’s best friends growing up. When I asked her recently about posting it, she was quick to let me know that it’s her mom-in-law’s recipe. So, thank you, Mrs. Martens! I know I’ve tweaked the glaze somewhat for some reason a long time ago, but if you read this, Debbie, please feel free to add the original ingredient in a comment. I think it was Worcestershire sauce.

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 pounds lean hamburger
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 onion, chopped or 1 – 2 tsp onion flakes
  • 1 cup grated cheese
  • 1/3 cup milk
topping:
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  1. Prepare a 9 x 13 inch pan by lining it with foil or parchment paper. 
  2. Mix all ingredients well and shape into loaf. 
  3. Place on baking pan and make an indentation along the top of the loaf. 
  4. Cover meatloaf completely with topping. 
  5. Bake at 350 F about 60 – 75 min., depending on shape.
  6. For two people: mix whole recipe using fresh hamburger, shape and divide to make 2 mini loaves. Freeze one and cover with topping just before baking.
from the kitchen of
recipe file

35 comments:

  1. Schnitzel and the TroutJanuary 9, 2009 at 12:08 PM

    Sometimes, the world is just screaming MEATLOAF! This recipe will certainly be tried as we have been experimenting recently, trying different ways to make a meatloaf. Looks wonderful!

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  2. GigglesJanuary 9, 2009 at 12:32 PM

    My family loves meatloaf and it's a similar recipe to this, only I add quite a few grated garlic cloves!

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  3. Judy January 9, 2009 at 1:18 PM

    I haven't made meatloaf in forever...and this looks so good. Thanks for posting.

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  4. Joie de vivreJanuary 9, 2009 at 3:07 PM

    Wonderful comfort food. My husband would love this.

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  5. JuleneJanuary 9, 2009 at 3:37 PM

    This IS the best meatloaf recipe. I make it often and the leftover meat makes great sandwiches.

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  6. charlotte mgccJanuary 9, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    oh my brother would be happy happy. meatloaf is the all time comfort food for him. i must try this version. thanks

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  7. TrishJanuary 9, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    Ahhh....here we are in the midst of the greys of January and Meatloaf and M & C are the best foods ever...I love these recent posts and so many of us can relate to the sudden desire to go back to these basic comfort foods at dinner time. This loaf looks fantastic and I bet it tastes great too. I was taught a very similar recipe with a homemade tomato relish taking the place for the glaze. Yum....maybe tomorrow night....

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  8. Lovella ♥January 9, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Now I'm hungry for meatloaf too .. .what recipe blog would be complete without a meatloaf recipe. . looks very yummy.

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  9. Tina ButlerJanuary 10, 2009 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks for the meatloaf recipe. That looks really good.

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  10. gailJanuary 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    We had it for dinner last night and then my hubby got the left overs on his sandwiches today.
    Thanks so much. I am from Sydney, Australia so you see, your recipes travel far and wide.

    Blessings Gail

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  11. RachelJanuary 13, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    I'm still looking for the 'perfect' meatloaf recipe. This is on the menu tonight for sure.

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  12. NikiMarch 5, 2009 at 4:12 PM

    I made this meatloaf this evening and it was wonderful. Thank you for the great recipe! I have one question. Since it's just my husband and I now, I will make 2 mini loaves, do I freeze the second one after baking, or do I freeze it uncooked?
    Thanks
    Niki

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  13. AnnelieseMarch 9, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Nicky, I would use fresh gound beef and then freeze it uncooked. Thaw in fridge later and add sauce just before baking.
    If it's more convenient for you to freeze it cooked, I'm sure that would be okay too. Then you'd just heat it later.
    Glad you like it!

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  14. renaekhAugust 17, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    In your meatloaf recipe, is it 1/4 teaspoon pepper or 1/4 of a green pepper? I am assuming it is 1/4 teaspoon pepper, but wanted to make sure. Thanks

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  15. AnnelieseAugust 17, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    I'm so sorry . . . I don't know how I didn't see that... it's fixed now.

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  16. LorrieFebruary 7, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    I made this last night. I really liked it. Especially the sauce. Unfortunately the word, "meatloaf" is never appealing to my kids. I tried to sell it as "cheeseburger loaf". But they still did not eat it with as much enthusiasm as my husband and I. Maybe meatloaf is really "old school",like me.

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  17. Nadia NazaroffMarch 16, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Preparing to make 10 lbs. of meatloaf using this recipe! Am part of a freezer meal swap group ... will definitely come back with my family's and my friends' reviews! Thank you for ALWAYS posting amazing and perfected recipes!

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  18. NadiaMarch 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    Spent the entire morning making individual sized meatloaves ~~ 10 lbs. of ground beef yielded 96 mini meatloaves! The glaze was a VERY NICE TOUCH . . . the loaves that were glazed were extra moist and very pleasant to look at! The glaze stayed in place and stayed shiny. I chose to leave the glaze off the second half . . . (for the young kids who may not like bbq sauce) still VERY tender and delicous! THIS RECIPE IS A KEEPER. Thank you :-D

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  19. AnnelieseMarch 17, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    Thank you, Nadia!

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  20. franJuly 15, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    This recipe sounds delicious,can't wait to try!The grated cheese,is that parmesan or romano?Also is it the real fine grind or microplaned?thanks.

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  21. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    This recipe looks awesome,can't wait to try!One question,is the grated cheese parmesan or romano,really fine grated or box grated?Thanks.
    fran

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    Replies
    1. AnnelieseJuly 18, 2012 at 8:00 AM

      I use a mix of cheddar and mozzerella and it's not a fine grated cheese. Regular greated cheese. If you want to make sure it's hidden for some reason, you can use a finely grated cheese.

      Delete
  22. MNOctober 28, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    This meatloaf receipt was so good. My kids usually dislike meatloaf, however they asked for seconds. Thank you for posting this recipe.

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  23. AnonymousOctober 30, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    Made this tonight and it was very good! I added a little more ketchup and some garlic powder. The topping was super yummy!

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  24. UnknownNovember 13, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    My son is craving meatloaf tonight. This looks like a perfect recipe. Thanks!

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  25. Tracy BumpusNovember 29, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    I don't have rolled oats. Will it be good without?

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    Replies
    1. AnnelieseNovember 29, 2012 at 4:51 PM

      You'l be fine...replace the oats with more bread crumbs. all the best!

      Delete
  26. UnknownDecember 27, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    I made this last night and it was really good. I haven't had meatloaf in a long time and this recipe really hit the spot! Thanks.

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  27. Kristal SawyerJanuary 14, 2013 at 5:01 PM

    Making this tonight, Mom! Trying to win Shaun over to loving meatloaf! :)

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  28. AnonymousMay 6, 2014 at 6:05 PM

    I'm a vegetarian. So I used Griller Crumbles from MorningStar Farm. It was beyond fabulous! Thank you for such amazing recipes!

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  29. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2016 at 8:10 PM

    This recipe was awesome! I used parmesan cheese, and I also added in some rosemary.. Delicious!

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