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Easy 5-Ingredient Meatloaf

Easy 5-ingredient meatloaf with a glossy ketchup glaze that caramelizes in the oven for classic, comforting slices. This simple meatloaf recipe uses just ground beef, onion soup mix, eggs, ketchup, and breadcrumbs—minimal steps, reliable results.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Rest 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf
  • 2 lb ground beef Use 80/20 for best moisture.
  • 1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
  • 2 eggs Helps bind the loaf.
  • 0.33 cup ketchup Plus extra for spreading on top.
  • 0.5 cup breadcrumbs Provides structure and texture.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Preheat & prep the pan
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5 loaf pan to prevent sticking.
Mix the meatloaf
  1. In a large mixing bowl, mix ground beef, onion soup mix, eggs, 1/3 cup ketchup, and breadcrumbs until just combined (stop as soon as no dry crumbs remain).
  2. Press the mixture into the loaf pan and smooth the top for even baking.
Glaze & bake
  1. Spread a thin layer of ketchup over the top so the glaze bakes into a shiny finish.
  2. Bake at 350°F for 55–65 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the glaze is set and looks lightly caramelized.
Rest & slice
  1. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices settle and the slices hold their shape.

Notes

Pro tip: For clean slices, let the loaf rest fully before cutting. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days in an airtight container. Freeze cooked meatloaf up to 2 months (thaw in the fridge overnight). For a lighter option, use lean ground beef (90/10) and expect a slightly less glossy, but still tasty, loaf.