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–+ servings
Overhead view of sliced healthy meatloaf covered in a glossy tomato glaze on a serving platter

Healthy Meatloaf

easyhealthyrecipes.com/healthy-easy-meatloaf/
This easy meatloaf recipe is juicy, flavorful, and never dry. My version takes only 15 minutes to prep, and stays incredibly tender thanks to a simple technique, and finishes with a sweet-and-savory glaze that caramelizes gorgeously in the oven.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Recipe makes approximately 6

Equipment Needed

  • Baking sheet ( rimmed, approximately 18 × 13 inches)
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • silicone pastry brush

Ingredients Needed

The Panade

  • ½  cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ⅓  cup whole milk

The Meatloaf

  • 1½ pounds  90/10 lean ground beef (see notes)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup  grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

The Glaze

  • ⅓ cup  ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup breadcrumbs and ⅓ cup whole milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it forms a soft paste.
  • Add 1½ pounds ground beef, 1 grated onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 eggs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the bowl. Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Brush half of the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf.
  • Bake for 40 minutes.
  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the remaining glaze evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite sides.

Recipe Notes

Ground turkey option: Swap all or half of the ground beef for lean ground turkey for a lighter meatloaf. Since turkey is leaner, it won’t be quite as rich, but the panade helps keep it wonderfully juicy.
Make it gluten-free: Use your fave gluten-free breadcrumbs and make sure your Worcestershire sauce is certified gluten-free (check labels). Everything else stays the same.
Make it dairy-free: Use an unsweetened dairy-free milk in the panade and either omit the Parmesan or replace it with your favorite dairy-free Parmesan alternative.

Nutrition Info (Approximate)

Calories: 357kcal | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Total Carbs: 24g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Net Carbs: 23g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 931mg | Potassium: 600mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 4mg