The rich and hearty taste of beef, bacon and garlic are tried and true in this Southern Meatloaf recipe. WHY DIDN’T YOU MAKE MORE? Top with a brown gravy or a brown sugar ketchup glaze for a PERFECT easy dinner!
This meatloaf is absolutely the BEST when served with Classic Mashed Potatoes, some gussied up canned corn and crockpot full of green beans! Try on some classic southern buttermilk biscuits and a peach pie and WHOO WEEE, it will feel like nothing could go bad ever again!
Why This Recipe Works
- The roasted garlic gives this meatloaf a decidedly delicious kick!
- You can mix it up in about 10 minutes and then enjoy yourself while it bakes.
- EASY
- You never have to tell how easy it is!
Here’s How It’s Done
STEP 1. Cut up your bacon and spray your pan. Preheat the oven.
STEP 2. Get all your bread crumbs and spices together in a bowl, add the meat and mix together.
STEP 3. Add the ground beef, mix up, press into the pan, cover with foil and pop it in the oven.
STEP 4. Pour off the grease after 55 minutes and bake for another 25. Let rest for 10 minutes, pop it over onto a plate and serve! We like brown gravy, but if you prefer brown sugar ketchup glaze, apply that in the last 10 minutes of baking. You'll notice I make TWO for family when I make them, but this recipe is for one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Southern Meatloaf Recipe
Why Does Meatloaf Fall Apart?
Meatloaf often falls apart because it needs MORE binder (like eggs). If yours is cracky and falling apart, try adding a little more egg to the recipe.
However, the real key is to have it JUST RIGHT! A meatloaf with TOO much binder, sometimes becomes heavy and sticky, which isn’t good either!
Do I Cover Meatloaf?
For this meatloaf, covering it for the first hour is very important, then remove the foil and allow it to crispy and brown on the edges.
Some meatloafs do not require foil, it just depends on the recipe you are working with. Follow what the author has to say.
How Do You Make Meatloaf Stick Together?
Meatloaf sticks together based upon the binder that you are working with. In this recipe, the binder is eggs.
Eggs are like glue in recipes and can cause several things to happen and one of those things is “food glue”.
If your recipe is lacking enough to stick it together, try adding a little more egg OR just use my recipe printed below.
What Can I Use Instead of Bread Crumbs?
There are a number of fillers to use instead of bread crumbs for meatloaf that are perfectly acceptable.
- Panko,
- Cracker Crumbs.
- Commercial bread crumbs
- Real (dry) bread crumbs
- Oatmeal (often used).
- Rice
- Cornflakes
- Ginger Snaps
- Saltine Crumbs
- Goldfish cracker crumbs (these are pretty yummy in some recipes)
- Vanilla Wafers
- Cheetos
- Potato Chips
- Corn Chips
Keep in mind that each of these will give a different flavor to your meatloaf that you may or may not enjoy.
Does Meatloaf Have to Have a Glaze?
Meatloaf Does NOT have to have a glaze. In fact, I don’t serve one with mine because I don’t like it myself. As you can see from the photos, we like GRAVY on our meatloaf and that is perfectly acceptable.
How Do I Make Gravy?
To make a gravy for your meatloaf, I like to use this recipe for How to Make Gravy with Cornstarch using chicken stock or beef stock.
You can always crumble some meatloaf into it to make it even more delicious!
Do I Have To Use The Pans To Make Southern Meatloaf Recipe In?
You can make this meatloaf a “free form” loaf in a larger baking dish, HOWEVER, it is more likely to fall apart that way and it is nearly impossible to pour the grease off.
It’s much better to make this in a loaf pan to make pouring the grease off easier.
Can I Use Bread Pans?
Yes, you can use bread pans, that is exactly what I use. Mine have a type of non-stick type surface and that makes it even easier to get the meatloaf out of the pan.
How Do I Get the Southern Meatloaf Recipe Out Of That Pan?
After the meatloaf has rested, put a large plate on top of the pan. Use your thumbs to hold the pan securly onto the plate and then flip the whole thing over while holding the plate to the top of the pan.
Do this GENTLY so that your meatloaf doesn’t fall apart.
When inverted, the meatloaf will fall out onto the plate and you can pour gravy over the top or just slice and serve.
How Do I Make A Ketchup Glaze?
Mix together:
- ½ Cup ketchup
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch cayenne pepper
Paint half of this mix on the meatloaf when you remove the aluminum foil. After you turn your meatloaf out onto a tray/plate (make sure it is oven safe). Drizzle this over the top and put back in the oven for 5 minutes to finish with the glaze.
TIPS and TRICKS for Southern Meatloaf Recipe
- For this Southern Meatloaf Recipe, make sure to have everything prepared before you start mixing it together in the bowl. Works best that way.
- Roast the garlic up to a week before, wrap in plastic and store in the fridge (it’s great smeared on bread or crackers, just don’t eat it all before you can add it to the meatloaf!
- It’s best to stick exactly to this recipe the first time you make this meatloaf, but feel free to change up a few things after the first time. Believe me, you’ll be making it more than once!
- Here's a great reason to make your own meatloaf too!
PRO TIP: Exchange a little bit of the ground beef for sausage sometime for a fantastic slight change! Wow!
If You've Enjoyed THIS Southern Meatloaf Recipe, try one of these!
or one of these ground beef recipes!
or any of these great main dish recipes!
Ya’ll Help Me Out, OK?
Please leave me a 5 STAR comment below. This helps others find Loaves and Dishes on the internet!
Southern Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic roasted
- 1 teaspoon olive oil drizzling over garlic
- 2 strips bacon raw
- 2 lbs ground beef 80/20
- ½ Cup bread crumbs plain
- 1.5 tbs garlic powder
- 1.5 tbs onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoon seasoned salt Use Lawrys
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ tsp dry mustard like Colemans
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 tbs steak sauce A1 rich and hearty works best
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbs ketchup
- 1 tbs worcestershire sauce
- 2.5 eggs beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375
Roast the Garlic
- Remove any loose papery covering on the garlic. Cut the garlic in half across the equator. Drizzle each half with olive oil. Wrap the garlic heads loosely with aluminum foil. Bake in 375 oven for 40 minutes. (You can do this in a toaster oven or while you are baking another dish a day or so before).
- After roasting, let the garlic cool and then using a fork, mash the garlic down to squeeze it out of the paper skin.
Put the Meatloaf together
- Spray a bread pan with cooking spray
- Put the roasted garlic in a large bowl.
- Add the chopped bacon, ground beef, bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder,seasoned salt, thyme, mustard, pepper, salt, steak sauce, ketchup, worcestershire and eggs to the bowl and mix very gently but completely.
- Put the meatloaf mix down into the prepared bread pan. Press it down so that it mashes into the corners. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake at 375 for 55 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, take the aluminum foil off of the pan, pour off the grease (be very careful).
- Place back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown on the top.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- Turn over onto serving plate and cut into 8 slices. Top with gravy.
Notes
- For this recipe, make sure to have everything prepared before you start mixing it together in the bowl. Works best that way.
- Roast the garlic up to a week before, wrap in plastic and store in the fridge (it’s great smeared on bread or crackers, just don’t eat it all before you can add it to the meatloaf!
- It’s best to stick exactly to this recipe the first time you make this meatloaf, but feel free to change up a few things after the first time. Believe me, you’ll be making it more than once!
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
I didn't set out to write about this verse today, but I am reminded that proclaiming your faith is starting to feel like the rebellious thing to do. I'm sure it will get much worse before it is any better. My how that has changed in my own lifetime.
2 Samuel 22: 32-33
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure
Wendi Spraker says
aggregate rating test
Jackie Brown says
This meatloaf is absolutely delicious!
We love it. It will definitely become a regular in our house. 5 stars!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jackie! Thanks so much! I'm glad you loved it! We love it too and it is our very favorite meatloaf recipe! I think it's the roasted garlic that makes all the difference! Thanks for leaving a comment!