Easy Meatloaf Recipe (Makes 2 Loaves)

There’s something special about a classic meatloaf—it’s comforting, hearty, and full of flavor. But what’s even better than one meatloaf? Two! 

Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd, planning ahead for busy weeknights, or just love the idea of having an extra loaf to freeze, this recipe is a total game-changer. It’s packed with all the savory goodness you crave, plus tips for keeping it juicy and flavorful every time.

We love meatloaf in addition to this easy meatloaf recipe. Sometimes we combine meats and stuff them with cheese like we do in our cheese-stuffed meatloaf or make them into meatballs.

I used to take for granted how easy I thought it was to make until John came home and told me about a conversation he had with a friend of ours recently. This friend of ours lost his wife not long ago. She was a great person and took care of a lot of the cooking.

He told John that he had tried making meatloaf, and it wasn’t any good. I decided it was time to make my Easy Meatloaf recipe. One that he could follow with simple ingredients and tips for keeping it juicy and flavorful every time.

Meatloaf Recipe for Two

Like our friend, most of the time I cook for just my husband and me. It’s easier to make two loaves than make one 2-pound meatloaf. This way, we have extra if we are feeding more than two people. We can also save one for another day.

Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.

Ingredients

We use 2 pounds of lean ground beef in this recipe. By dividing it into two loaves it doesn’t have to bake as long making it moist every time.

We use Italian bread crumbs over oats. Bread crumbs create a finer, more cohesive texture in the meatloaf. This is perfect if you want a classic, smooth slice. It has no noticeable graininess. It absorbs moisture and fat evenly. This helps bind the meat together and keeps it juicy. You can use any bread crumbs that you prefer. The Italian variety adds flavor but you can use plain if that’s what you like.

Tomato sauce helps keep the meatloaf moist as it cooks, preventing it from drying out. This is especially important if you’re using leaner meats. You can use any variety including low-sodium.

Yellow onions bake up tender without being overbearing in flavor. You can use white or sweet as well.

Eggs help hold the ingredients together, preventing the meatloaf from falling apart. They add moisture and richness to the meatloaf, keeping it tender and preventing it from drying out. We prefer fresh large Grade A eggs for consistency in our baking.

Perfectly balanced seasoning is important. In addition to the seasoning in the Italian bread crumbs, we add an Italian seasoning blend, salt, and pepper. You can use a variety of seasoning including oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.

We add a glaze made of ketchup, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt, to our meatloaf toward the end of baking. It adds a glossy glaze and just the right amount of tangy sweetness to contrast the savory meat. You can substitute it with barbecue sauce like we did in our BBQ Brisket Sandwich.

How to make a Meatloaf Recipe

By baking on a broiling rack, the extra fat drips off of the meatloaf. Traditional use of a loaf pan bakes the meatloaf in the fat. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a broiling pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the meatloaf ingredients and mix. Divide in half and shape them into two loaves. Place the loaves on the prepared broiling pan and put them into the oven to bake for one hour.

While the meatloaf bakes, prepare the glaze ingredients. After one hour of baking time, apply the glaze to the tops of the meatloaf and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Hostess Tips

Don’t overwork mixing the meat. You’ll lose the nice texture making it dense and dry.

Don’t overbake. Use an instant-read thermometer to test doneness. It’s done when it reaches 165°F.

This homemade meatloaf recipe can also be made into 14 large meatballs per loaf!

How to store and reheat

Store

One loaf serves has 3 to 4 servings. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Meatloaf freezes beautifully. You can freeze individual slices or the whole loaf. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. We prefer to freeze it after it’s baked but you could freeze it before it’s baked.

Reheat

Oven method: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the meatloaf in an oven-safe dish. If it’s already sliced, arrange the slices in a single layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the meatloaf from drying out. Bake for 20-25 minutes for a whole loaf, or 10-15 minutes for slices, until heated through. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure it’s at least 165°F (74°C) in the center.

Air Fryer method: Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Slice the meatloaf into portions (this helps it heat evenly). Wrap each slice in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place the slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for 5-7 minutes (longer if reheating a whole loaf). Unwrap a slice to check if it’s warmed through. Add a minute or two if needed.

Tip: For a crispier edge, remove the foil in the last minute of reheating.

Microwave method: Slice the meatloaf into individual slices for even reheating. Avoid microwaving a whole loaf, as it may heat unevenly. Place the slices on a microwave-safe plate. To prevent dryness, drizzle a little water, beef broth, or extra sauce (like ketchup or gravy) over the slices. Alternatively, cover the slices with a damp paper towel.

Use a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (loosely) to trap steam and keep the meatloaf from drying out. Microwave on medium power (50-70%) for 30-45 seconds per slice. Check the temperature and stir any added sauce as needed. The slices should be warmed through but not overcooked. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Serving suggestions

The thing I love about serving meatloaf is that it goes with everything. Our favorite recipes are Chessy Potatoes (with real potatoes), Fruit Cocktail Salad, a slice or two of French Bread, and a piece of Homemade Apple Pie with a scoop of ice cream or a rich Chocolate Fudgy Brownie.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

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This easy Meatloaf recipe was first released on February 24, 2016. It has been updated to improve our readers’ experience. We added simple details and new tips. No changes were made to the actual recipe.