Bop’s Favorite Meatloaf Recipeis a super savory and easy comfort food that’s generously flavored with onion, green bell pepper, spices, and of course, ketchup. An easy meatloaf recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite!

As I’ve shared an assortment of my favorite tried-and-true recipes on the internet, many have shared some of their favorites with me, too.I made friends with a lovely woman (whose kids call her “Gram”) and this is her husband, Bop’s favorite meatloaf. Here’s what Gram said about it:“It was originally fromRedbookMagazine, January 1986, and I’ve been making it ever since. It makes for a great sandwich, too.”So, this recipe has been around a long time, and we love it just as much as Gram and Bop!

Meatloaf is a great,timeless ground beef recipe.It’s simple to put together, and all of my family really likes it. This easy meatloaf recipe is made with tomato sauce in it, which I never had done before but ended up adoring! It makes the texture great, and makes sure everything stays really moist.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Meatloaf is just a classic comfort food– so many people love it.
It’s one of those meals that you can put together and then throw in the oven, leaving you time to do other things while it bakes.
This recipe has all the components to make it moist AND flavorful, which are two of the usual complaints about bad meatloaf,so you know this one is a winner just by looking at it.

Ingredients

Ground Beef
Soda Cracker Crumbs (Saltine crackers)
Tomato Sauce
Finely Chopped Onion
Finely Chopped Green Bell Pepper
2 Large Eggs, beaten: this makes it so much easier to mix them in
Bay Leaf, finely crushed: bay leaves are safe to eat, we usually remove them at the end of the recipe because they’re tough, not because they’re harmful.
Salt
Dried Thyme
Ground Black Pepper
Ketchup

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Popular Substitutions and Variations

You can substitute another ground meat like turkeybut the meatloaf may be drier since the fat content is lower.
Any color of bell pepper would be an easy substitute for the green bell pepper.
In a pinch, you can use another cracker like Ritz but soda crackers are ideal because of their neutral flavor. Mix it up with a tangier glaze—try my sweet and savoryhomemade Catalina dressing!

How to Make the Best Homemade Meatloaf

Step #1.Prep your baking dish as desired. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the ketchup. Mix thoroughly.

Step #3.Bake the meatloaf uncovered for an hour or until the internal temp is 160°F.

Step #2.Form the mixture into a 9 to 10 inch loaf shape and place in the baking dish. Brush the ketchup evenly over the top.

Step #4.Remove from oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Why does my meatloaf always fall apart?

The various components of meatloaf should make it stay together fairly well when you make it. Traditionally, bread crumbs are used in many recipes, but I love the consistency and extra salty punch from cracker crumbs. The eggs and veggies will also keep things molded together.You also want to make sure the loaf isn’t too dry and crumbly when you form it, or too saturated with liquid that it can’t hold its shape. It should be a very dense consistency when you form the loaf, and make sure you press it into its shape firmly.

How long does meatloaf last?

Meatloaf will last for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to 2 or 3 months to extend its shelf life. This is a great dish to make ahead of time and freeze for a future crazy night when making dinner is the last thing on your mind.

Expert Tips

Be careful not to overmix your meat mixture.Too much mixing will result in a tough meatloaf.
It helps to firmly “smoosh” together your loaf when formingto help it stay together.
Letting the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing helps it stay together when you serve it.Don’t skip it!