Name: The Ultimate Meatloaf with Brown Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko); ⅓ cup milk; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 ½ tsp kosher salt, divided use; 3 large cloves garlic, minced; ¼ cup ketchup; 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried); 1 ¼ tsp ground black pepper; 2 large eggs; 2 lb ground beef; 2 cups regular beef broth; 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 3 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp onion powder; ½ tsp black pepper; Salt to taste (including additional kosher salt if broth is unsalted)

Description

This Ultimate Meatloaf with Brown Gravy recipe offers a classic, comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Made with a savory blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, baked to juicy perfection and topped with a rich, homemade brown gravy, it’s a hearty meal that satisfies all tastes.

Ingredients

Meatloaf

1 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
⅓ cup milk
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 ½ tsp kosher salt, divided use
3 large cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup ketchup
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
1 ¼ tsp ground black pepper
2 large eggs
2 lb ground beef

Brown Gravy

2 cups regular beef broth
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste (including additional kosher salt if broth is unsalted)

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Instructions

Mix Breadcrumbs: In a bowl, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs with ⅓ cup milk and set aside to soak.
Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and 1 tsp kosher salt, cooking until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Combine Meatloaf Ingredients: To the soaked breadcrumbs, add ¼ cup ketchup, 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp minced parsley, remaining 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, and 1 ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Mix well. Once the onion and garlic have cooled, add them along with 2 large eggs and 2 pounds ground beef. Gently combine until just mixed to avoid a dense loaf.
Shape and Bake Meatloaf: Shape the mixture into a 9×5-inch loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF (71ºC). Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing to ensure juiciness.
Make Brown Gravy Roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Sprinkle 3 tbsp all-purpose flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously, cooking until the mixture turns a deep caramel color, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Broth and Seasonings: Gradually whisk in 2 cups beef broth to the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp black pepper.
Simmer Gravy: Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Final Seasoning: Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning by adding a pinch (about ⅛ tsp) of kosher salt if necessary. If using unsalted broth, add an additional 1 tsp kosher salt to enhance flavor.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf reaches a safe internal temperature of 160ºF.
Letting the meatloaf rest after baking helps retain moisture and makes slicing easier.
For a smoother gravy, strain the sauce if any lumps form.
Fresh parsley can be substituted with dried parsley at a ratio of 1:3 for flavor intensity.
Make sure not to overmix the meatloaf ingredients to avoid a dense texture.
Leftover meatloaf can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American