Brenda Gantt’s Meatloaf Recipe
Brenda Gantt’s meatloaf is a classic Southern-style dish made with ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. It’s baked to perfection with a flavorful glaze on top, creating a juicy, tender meatloaf that’s easy to make and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds ground beef regular or ground chuck
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 sleeve of crackers or 1 cup of oatmeal for a gluten-free option
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bell pepper finely chopped (or use sweet peppers)
- 1 egg
- 1 can 28 oz tomato sauce, divided
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, crushed crackers, salt, pepper, and bell pepper. Crack in the egg and mix everything together using your hands until well combined.
- Pour about ⅓ of the can of tomato sauce into the meat mixture and mix it in. This keeps the meatloaf moist.
- Lightly oil a broiler pan (the one that comes with your oven) and add a little water to the bottom tray to catch drippings. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it on the solid center section of the pan.
- Use your thumbs to press a shallow valley down the center of the meatloaf. Pour the remaining tomato sauce into the valley for extra moisture and flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 1 hour or until the meat is fully cooked and slightly browned on top.
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread for a classic Southern meal.
Video
Notes
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.