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    Home » Main Course » Southern Meatloaf Recipe

    Southern Meatloaf Recipe

    Published: Jan 19, 2022 · Modified: Jan 13, 2023 by Anne Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    meatloaf on a blue plate with mashed potatoes and green beans
    complete dinner on green plate with mashed potatoes and green beans
    southern meatloaf recipe pin

    This tender and flavorful Southern meatloaf is made with a delicate hint of hickory smoke flavor and topped with a thick, tangy sauce.  Made with ground beef, bread crumbs, and the perfect blend of seasonings. Featured on Allegro Marinade website!

    The meatloaf topping makes it extra flavorful! It's a thick, tomato-based sauce with a tangy zip and just a hint of hickory smoke - make a double batch if you like your meatloaf extra saucy. 

    teal blue plate with a serving of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love It
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make It
    • Recipe Notes
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Expert Meatloaf Tips
    • Awesome Side Dishes
    • What to do with Leftovers
    • More Dinner Ideas
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Why You'll Love It

    If you're looking for the best meatloaf recipe, look no further! This turned out to be the best homemade meatloaf that I've ever made. 

    Another reason this meatloaf is so special is because of a secret ingredient that I discovered on a whim. Keep reading to find out what it is!

    Looking for a different, unique side to serve with this meatloaf? Don't hesitate to make my Savory Squash Pie! It definitely goes with meatloaf!

    Why This Recipe Works

    I call this southern style meatloaf because of the incredible flavors. Adding a homemade sauce on meatloaf flavors it perfectly. It makes a delicious topping for this moist, tender meatloaf.

    Southern meatloaf just seems to be an amazing comfort food, too. Those delicious smells coming from the kitchen as the meatloaf bakes will make your mouth water and your tummy growl. 

    Sometimes, you can smell it before you come through the front door. I've had people ask me, "what's that amazing smell?" 

    Ingredients

    photo collage of recipe ingredients measured out in 2 glass bowls

    So, what goes into this recipe for Southern meatloaf?  Well, mostly meat (lol) and lots of seasonings.  Flavor is the main personality of southern cooking!  For this recipe, we use 11 ingredients to bring out that southern flair:

    fresh ground chuck - to ensure a juicy meatloaf, use a high-fat content such as 80/20

    small chopped onion - or mince the onion if you don't like chunks

    bread crumbs and eggs - to bind the meatloaf (hold it together)

    Allegro Hickory Smoked Marinade - this is my secret ingredient for the BBQ flavor blast!

    tomato paste (divided) - for added flavor in the meatloaf and in the glaze

    the perfect blend of seasonings - thyme, smoked paprika, pepper, garlic powder

    ketchup -main ingredient for the glaze

    How to Make It

    This Southern meatloaf recipe is super easy to make!

    photo collage of recipe steps

    (1) In a large bowl combine eggs, tomato paste, Allegro marinade, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and smoked paprika.  A whisk works well at thoroughly combining these ingredients. If you happen to be out of tomato paste, there are many great substitutes for tomato paste that will work well with this recipe.

    (2) Add the ground beef, bread crumbs, and sauteed onions.  Mix well but do not over mix.  Suggestion:  Use your hands in a kneading fashion to blend the beef with the egg mixture.

    (3) Shape the mixture into a loaf, and place it into a casserole dish or loaf pan that's been sprayed with non-stick spray. Make the meatloaf glaze. Mix the ketchup, tomato paste, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pepper.

    (4) Spread the glaze on top of the meatloaf. Bake uncovered at 325F for about 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes.  Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

    Recipe Notes

    You can typically find Allegro Hickory Smoke Marinade in most grocery stores. But if you can't find it, you can use Worcestershire sauce instead.

    For extra sauce, make a double batch of the glaze. Spread half onto the meatloaf before cooking, and spread the other half on top after baking, or serve it on the side.

    The best meatloaf starts out with the freshest hamburger meat - preferably ground chuck.

    Now about that secret ingredient... Many of the best meatloaf recipes call for Worcestershire sauce. I was out of Worcestershire sauce the day I wanted to make meatloaf so I used the Allegro instead. 

    I already knew Allegro was a great marinade for chicken and steak, and I even add it to flavor green beans. So I thought "why not try it?"  And now I know it adds a delicious flavor to my southern meatloaf recipe, too!  It's my favorite sauce for meatloaf. This stuff is awesome and I highly recommend it!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?

    Bread crumbs and eggs help to bind the meatloaf (hold it together). Bread crumbs are also important to help to lighten the texture; otherwise, your meatloaf would have the consistency of a hamburger patty.

    Can you freeze meatloaf?

    You can this meatloaf before cooking to prevent it from drying out. You can also freeze it after baking. Let the meatloaf cool completely, then place it into a sealable, freezable container. Write the date on the container so you can remember when you froze it.

    Place the frozen meatloaf in the refrigerator to thaw about 24 hours before you want to eat it. Reheat in the microwave or heat in a 350-degree oven, covered, until hot.

    How do you store leftover meatloaf?

    Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.

    Expert Meatloaf Tips

    Be sure to use a good quality, high-fat content, ground beef such as chuck.  Don't leave out any of the liquid (wet) ingredients! Saute the onions in olive oil, and add both (onions and olive oil) to the meat mixture.

    It's important to "blend" the ground beef with the seasonings and other ingredients with as little action as possible.  As stated earlier, I like to use the kneading and folding technique. 

    Use your best judgment. When you can see that the seasonings are evenly distributed, then stop the mixing process.  If you over mix, the result could be a more dense meatloaf that could be tough.

    teal blue plate with a serving of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans

    Awesome Side Dishes

    I always double the glaze for those who like their meatloaf more wet. For a side dish, mashed potatoes seem to be the most popular choice. But if you want a change of pace, try one of these recipes:

    • Slice and Bake Parmesan Potatoes
    • Homemade Macaroni & Cheese
    • Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

    What to do with Leftovers

    If you have any of this Southern style meatloaf leftover, there are many ways to serve it the next day.  One way is to serve it as a meatloaf sandwich or poboy.  Meatloaf is particularly crazy good on a yeast roll (enter Sister Shuberts!). You could also serve it on top of spaghetti or use it as a topping on your favorite pizza crust! 

    More Dinner Ideas

    • Italian-American Lasagna with Ricotta
    • Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
    • Lazy Enchiladas
    • Easy Cajun Rice Dressing

    Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook for delicious recipe ideas!

    If you’d like some recipe inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter on my subscribe page.

    If you tried this recipe, please rate it and leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

    Recipe

    best meatloaf

    Southern Meatloaf Recipe

    Juicy meatloaf with a delicate hint of hickory smoked flavor topped with a thick, tangy tomato-based sauce.  An easy classic meatloaf recipe made with ground beef and a blend of the perfect seasonings.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin For Later Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Resting Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 546kcal
    Author: Anne Clark

    Ingredients

    MEATLOAF INGREDIENTS

    • 2.25 pounds ground beef, chuck
    • 1 cup finely chopped onions (minced)
    • ½ cup bread crumbs
    • 2 eggs
    • 3 tablespoons Allegro Hickory Smoke Marinade see recipe note
    • 3 ounces tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon thyme
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

    BBQ GLAZE INGREDIENTS

    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • dash pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325F. Saute chopped onion in small amount of olive oil until soft.  Set aside.
    • In a large bowl combine eggs, 3 oz tomato paste, Allegro, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and smoked paprika.  A whisk works well at thoroughly combining these ingredients. 
    • Add the ground beef, bread crumbs,  and sauteed onions.  Mix well but do not over mix.  Suggestion:  Use your hands, in a kneading fashion, to blend the beef with the egg mixture.
    • Shape the mixture into a loaf, and place it into a casserole dish or loaf pan that's been sprayed with non-stick spray.
    • Mix the topping ingredients then spread on top of the meatloaf (see Note 3 below).  Bake uncovered at 325 for about 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes.  Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

    Notes

    (1):  You can typically find Allegro Hickory Smoke Marinade in most grocery stores.  But if you can't find it, you can use Worcestershire sauce instead.  (2) The best meatloaf starts out with freshest hamburger meat, and preferably ground chuck. (3)  For extra sauce:  Make a double batch of the meatloaf topping and spread ½ of it onto the meatloaf before cooking, and spread the other half on top of the meatloaf after baking.  (4) Meatloaf will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in airtight containers.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mykitchenserenity or tag #mykitchenserenity on Instagram!!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 546kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 859mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 709IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 5mg

    This recipe was originally published in 2019 and was updated in 2022.

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.

    « Easy Stuffed Cheeseburgers
    15 Simple Ways to Substitute for Beef Broth »

    About Anne Clark

    Hi! I'm Anne, the founder and content creator at My Kitchen Serenity, a food blog focused on serving the needs of busy moms and dads who are looking for easy and delicious recipes for the family.

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    Hi. I’m Anne and I’m happy to share with you my easy, family-friendly recipes. I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, and what I’ve learned is that most busy families appreciate easy homemade meals. Now that the kids are grown, my passion is creating and sharing flavorful food for you and your family to enjoy as well. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] 

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