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.

35 comments:

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

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  4. Wonderful comfort food. My husband would love this.

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

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  6. 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. 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. 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. Thanks for the meatloaf recipe. That looks really good.

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

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

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  16. 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. 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. 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. 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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  20. 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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    1. 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.

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  21. 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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  22. 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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  23. My son is craving meatloaf tonight. This looks like a perfect recipe. Thanks!

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

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

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

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

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