The Perfect Meatloaf!

It seems that meatloaf is something that even good cooks have a problem getting quite right at times.  I am not sure why, but it can turn out really bad.  This meatloaf recipe is my sister in law's and she undoubtedly makes the best meatloaf I have ever eaten.  She says she got this recipe way back in her home economics class ( remember when they still taught home ec).  I have modified it just a little, but not much, because you just don't mess with perfection.   Meatloaf is one of my father's favorite things, so I made this for his 82nd birthday dinner! 

This is something that requires key ingredients to turn out just right so I will specify those.  One of them is ground chuck.  Do not use ground beef, ground sirloin, or ground round.  The first will be too greasy and the last two will be too dry.   Ground chuck is 80/20 lean to fat ratio and that is just perfect.  It is also made from the better cuts of beef and the taste is superior to ground beef.

The other ingredient that I added to this and it makes the meatloaf so good is the can of  Hunt's Dinner Starters Seasoned Tomato Sauce for Meatloaf. They keep changing the name of this product and every time they do it's confusing for those just getting this recipe, but as far as I know that is the right name for now!   It's on the aisle with the canned tomatoes and tomato sauce and such.  It has the seasonings like green pepper and onion in it blended well so you don't need to add the raw vegetables to the meatloaf.  I hate meatloaf with big chunks of onion or green pepper in it. I think that is what turns people off about meatloaf.

Here is what you will need for this meatloaf:

2lbs. ground chuck
1 (15.25 oz.) can Hunts Dinner Starters Seasoned Tomato Sauce for Meatloaf
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs or quick cooking oats (my sister in law uses the oats)
1 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. Nature's Seasoning or salt and pepper
dash of Tabasco sauce
1 tsp. yellow mustard
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

Mix the eggs, beef, bread crumbs or oats, 1/2 can of the Hunts Meatloaf Sauce, 1/2 tsp seasoning salt, 1/2 tsp. Nature's Seasoning, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.  

it is mixed well, divide in half and shape in two equal size loaves.  You can make one big meatloaf but two smaller ones cook faster and you get more of the sauce on each slice.  This is one of my sister in law's tips that makes the meatloaf more tasty.  Place them in a dish sprayed with cooking spray or lined with foil.  Sprinkle the tops with seasoning salt and Nature's Seasoning lightly.   Place in a preheated 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. 

Mix the other half of the can of Hunts Meatloaf Fixins, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup ketchup, dash of Tabasco to your taste, 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp. yellow mustard.  After the meatloaf cooks for 45 minutes, pour this sauce over the top making sure it is all covered and put back in for 15 minutes.

Take meatloaf out after 1 hour and spoon the sauce from the pan over the top. After about 5 minutes, slice to serve. 

Even non-meatloaf eaters will eat this meatloaf and it makes great sandwiches the next day, if you have any leftover!



  1. Sounds wonderful! Was just thinking about my mother's meatloaf, which was always good. We usually had green beans and baked beans with it, and her homemade yeast rolls! Want to try this!

    Sharon E

  2. Is the yellow mustard the normal liquid form (like Frenches) or is it the powdered form

    1. any brand yellow in the bottle prepared mustard

  3. Help! I LOVE this meatloaf recipe and it is my go to meatloaf now :) I have everything to make it tonight for dinner but the Hunts meatloaf sauce! I went to 4 stores and nobody sells it anymore :( Do you have any suggestions for a substitute?

  4. Help! This is now my favorite meatloaf recipe and I have made it many times. I have everything to make this for dinner tonight except for the Hunt's meatloaf sauce :( I went to 4 stores and nobody sells it anymore! Do you have any suggestions for a substitute?

    1. Angie, where are you located and I can contact Hunt's to see who carries it in your area.

    2. I found some at Walmart where I live in VA

  5. Why do you use the Hunts and all the other ingredients? I use the Hunts which I thought replaced the ketchup, mustard and some of the other ingredients so you don't need to use extras? Just curious.

  6. I love this recipe. It makes the BEST meatloaf. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. I have made lots of them and they always turn out great.