Classic Meatloaf
Classic Meatloaf features tender ground chuck mixed with finely chopped vegetables, herbs, and warm spices for a juicy, well-seasoned slice. A tangy-sweet glaze of brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon, and a touch of heat caramelizes in the oven, adding a glossy finish and balanced flavor. It’s a comforting centerpiece for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook1 hr
- Serves10
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Classic Meatloaf, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 46 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0.53 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 27
- Heart Health
- 50
- Metabolic
- 18
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 54
- Performance
- 41
- General Wellness
- 1
Gather all the ingredients.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking dish with lightly greased foil.
- 3
Place the carrot, celery, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor; pulse until very finely chopped, almost a purée. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- 4
Add the ground chuck to the vegetables, along with Worcestershire sauce, egg, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until just combined. Sprinkle in the bread crumbs and gently mix with your fingertips until just combined; do not overmix.
- 5
Shape the mixture into a loaf, about 4 inches high and 6 inches across. Place it in the prepared baking pan.
- 6
Bake in the preheated oven just until the meatloaf is hot, about 15 minutes.
- 7
Meanwhile, stir the brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon, and Sriracha for the glaze in a small bowl until the brown sugar has dissolved.
- 8
Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Spoon the glaze over the top of the meatloaf with the back of a spoon, then pull a tiny bit of glaze down the sides.
- 9
Return to the oven and bake until no longer pink inside, 45 to 75 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), so start checking at 45 minutes and continue baking until the meatloaf reaches that temperature. Cooking time will depend on the shape and thickness of the meatloaf.
- 10
Serve hot and enjoy.
- Calories 274.07 kcal Moderate 14%
- Protein 26.34 g Good Source 53%
- Carbohydrate 19.63 g 7%
- Total Fat 9.54 g Moderate 12%
- Saturated Fat 3.32 g Moderate 17%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 89.28 mg High 30%
- Sodium 317.82 mg Moderate 14%
- Dietary Fiber 1.67 g Low Source 6%
- Total Sugars 5.51 g --
- Added Sugars 1.4 g Low Source 3%
- Calcium 39.47 mg Low Source 3%
- Iron 3.94 mg Good Source 22%
- Potassium 260.34 mg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin A 27.23 mcg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin C 12.22 mg Moderate 14%
- Vitamin D 0.11 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Celery
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Classic Meatloaf is made with 18 ingredients and serves 10. It takes about 1 hr 30 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Bread Crumbs, Brown Sugar, and Carrot. Each serving provides about 274.07 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Classic Meatloaf made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Bread Crumbs, Brown Sugar, Carrot, Cayenne Pepper. The full list of 18 is above.
- How long does it take to make Classic Meatloaf?
- About 1 hr 30 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 274.07 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Classic Meatloaf easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 18 ingredients and 10 steps.
- Is Classic Meatloaf healthy?
- Classic Meatloaf has an easyChef Pro health score of 43/100. Per serving, it provides 274.07 calories and 26.34 g of protein, or 53% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of iron. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 317.82 mg (14% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 3.32 g (17% of the Daily Value). It contains Eggs, Wheat, Gluten, Celery, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.
The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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