This 1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe is a timeless classic with nostalgic flavor in every bite. It bakes up perfectly tender and juicy with a sweet and tangy glaze on top for an easy, family-friendly dinner.
1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe Summary
- Straightforward Classic: A simple one-pound meatloaf with familiar ingredients and no extras.
- Built-In Moisture: Sautéed onions and milk-softened breadcrumbs keep the texture from drying out.
- Light, Not Dense: Gently shaping the loaf (not packing it tight) helps it cook evenly and stay tender.
- Double Glaze Finish: Half goes on before baking, the rest near the end for a thicker coating.
- Smaller Batch Size: Serves about 4, making it ideal for a regular weeknight dinner.
When you’re in the mood for a classic comfort food meal, this 1 lb meatloaf recipe is the answer! It’s made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand and requires minimal prep.
If you’ve ever wondered how long to cook a 1 lb meatloaf at 350°F, this recipe keeps things straightforward with reliable timing and consistent results. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and pairs well with all your favorite sides.
If you love meatloaf, try my chicken meatloaf and Italian meatloaf next!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Perfect Size: Using 1 pound of ground beef makes this a great option for a standard family dinner without a lot of leftovers.
- Classic Flavor: Made with ground beef, seasonings, and a sweet-tangy glaze, it’s got that traditional meatloaf taste everyone loves.
- Easy to Make: This 1 pound ground beef meatloaf comes together easily without a lot of fuss, making it perfect for weeknights and weekends alike.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 blend works best for a juicy, flavorful meatloaf.
- Italian Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatloaf together and add extra flavor. If you’ve ever wondered how many bread crumbs for 1 lb of meatloaf, this recipe uses the perfect amount for a tender texture.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
- Milk: Adds moisture so the meatloaf stays juicy while baking.
- Onion: Sauteed first in butter or oil, the onion adds depth of flavor to the meatloaf.
- Ketchup and Worcestershire: Add tangy, sweet, and savory flavors to the meatloaf and the glaze.
- Seasonings: I used salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds richness and an extra layer of flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the glaze and balances the tanginess of the ketchup.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of traditional breadcrumbs. Be sure to check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free as well.
- Dairy-Free: Swap the milk for unsweetened non-dairy milk and omit the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a dairy-free alternative. Also, you’ll want to check the ingredients label of the breadcrumbs, as some brands add cheese.
- Cheddar-Stuffed: Add small cubes of cheddar to the center of the loaf before shaping for a melty, cheesy surprise inside.
How to Make This 1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe
Get started making this meatloaf recipe with 1 lb ground beef by preheating your oven to 350°F. You’ll also need to grease a small loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 1: Saute the onion. Add the butter or olive oil to a skillet and warm over medium heat. Once heated, add the onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 2: Mix in the breadcrumbs. Pour the breadcrumbs into the skillet and stir them together with the sauteed onion. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
Step 3: Make the meatloaf mixture. Add the breadcrumb-onion mixture to a bowl. Then, add the remaining meatloaf ingredients.
Step 4: Mix together. Gently mix everything together until just combined. Avoid handling the meat too much as it can make your meatloaf tough.
Step 5: Shape the loaf. Form the mixture into a loaf and place it into your prepared loaf pan.
Step 6: Make the glaze. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce to a small bowl and stir to combine.
Step 7: Top with glaze. Spread half of the glaze mixture onto the loaf.
Step 8: Bake. Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Top with the remaining glaze and return the loaf to the oven to continue to bake for another 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite side dishes. I love enjoying a slice of meatloaf with these hasselback potatoes.
Expert Tips
- Soften the breadcrumbs: After mixing the breadcrumbs with the sauteed onions, be sure to give the mixture a little time to sit. This helps the breadcrumbs absorb moisture and flavor, resulting in a more tender meatloaf.
- Gently shape the loaf: Avoid packing the meat too tightly when forming it, as this can lead to a dense rather than tender texture.
- Let the meatloaf rest: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5–10 minutes after baking so it can set before slicing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container: Leftover meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
- Start things off with a delicious salad like this Brussels sprout salad or this spring salad.
- Serve the meatloaf with a side of roasted rosemary potatoes and oven roasted green beans for a complete meal.
- Finish your one pound meatloaf meal with an easy dessert like this rhubarb dump cake.
Recipe FAQs
A 1-pound meatloaf typically takes about 50 minutes to bake at 350°F. Baking in two stages, with the glaze added in portions, helps develop flavor and keeps the top from overcooking. For food safety, ensure that the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
If you need to make more, you can double the ingredients and either shape them into one larger loaf or divide them into two smaller loaves. For one large 2-pound loaf, increase the baking time to about 60–75 minutes, checking the internal temperature at 160°F. If making two smaller 1-pound loaves, place them side by side and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
More Tasty Ground Beef Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
1 Pound Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 works best
- ½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 cup onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for sautéing the onion
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease a small loaf pan.
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat, add the diced onion, and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add the Italian seasoned bread crumbs to the skillet with the warm onions, stir to combine, and let the mixture sit for a few minutes so the bread crumbs can begin to soften.
- Transfer the onion and breadcrumb mixture to a large bowl and add the ground beef, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese, then mix gently just until combined.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it on the prepared sheet pan or loosely shape it inside a loaf pan without pressing it firmly into the bottom.
- Stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl and spread about half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 35 minutes, remove from the oven, spread the remaining glaze over the top, and return to the oven for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving
Notes
- Bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F to ensure the meatloaf is fully cooked without drying out.
- If you need more servings, you can double the recipe and bake two loaves side by side or bake one larger loaf, adding 10-15 more minutes of cooking time.
- Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.