Homemade Meatloaf: My Mamaw’s Recipe
Homemade meatloaf is one of those foods that just ooze comfort. The smell of a meatloaf in the oven brings back so many cozy memories.
This recipe for meatloaf was passed down to me from my Mamaw Janice. She would make this homemade meatloaf for us on Friday nights when we would stay with her. Usually served with green beans and mashed potatoes (maybe mac n’ cheese too!) and it was so delicious. She made the gravy just right…I didn’t even need to drown this meatloaf in ketchup!
Print Recipe Jump to RecipeFrom Scratch Cooking at its Finest
If you’re looking to make a meal from scratch, meatloaf is sort of one of those things you should have in your recipe arsenal. It feeds a lot of people. It is relatively easy. And it’s a crowd pleaser.
Every grandma and mama has a meatloaf recipe! I have several that I like to go back and forth between.
But this recipe I’m sharing today is probably the first one I attempted for my husband. My mamaw copied it for me and sent it home with me one day after she made it for me. Her sister, Sandra, shared it with her and I’m here to keep it going and share it with you.
What You Need to Make Homemade Meatloaf
Well first, you need meat. The recipe actually calls for three whopping pounds of ground beef. I use two pounds. It turns out fine with one pound less.
Apart from ground beef, you’ll need:
-one small onion, chopped fine
-one egg
-one 15 oz can tomato sauce
– 1/2 cup oats
-Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper
-brown sugar (or other alternative sweetener such as molasses!)
Do I Need any Special Supplies?
I use a big bowl, put in all the ingredients, and mix with the easiest available tools in the kitchen: my hands!
Then the only other thing you need to make this homemade meatloaf is a loaf pan.
I use one like this. (These links are my Amazon Affiliate links. If you choose to shop through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!)
How to Make Homemade Meatloaf
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together the ground beef with the onion, egg, and oats. Again, I mix it all up with my hands because it’s much easier.
Add 1/2 of a can of tomato sauce (or a small 8 oz container of tomato sauce) and reserve the other half of the can for making the gravy.
Splash in the Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to your liking. (Sorry, you know, Mamaws sometimes don’t tell you how to measure.)
Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
Mix it all together again, and place it in a loaf pan.
I leave some room around the edges for the drippings to collect. Kind of form it into a loaf shape.
Cook for about an hour, uncovered.
Cover the top with your favorite ketchup after 30 minutes are up.
To Make the Gravy
After your meatloaf is done cooking, there will be drippings all around the perimeter of the meatloaf.
Do your best to pour off all the liquid into a saucepan or bowl.
Heat the drippings (about 3/4 cup) and the other half of the tomato sauce.
Add about 1 tablespoon of flour, whisk until thickened, and add milk or water to thicken further. (Around 1/2 or 3/4 c milk, just depending on the thickness you want.)
Enjoy the Comfort!
Meatloaf is right up there with chicken and dumplings and potato soup in my category of comfort foods. I hope you enjoy this recipe, because it is a special one!
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Mamaw’s Homemade Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/2 cup oats
- 15 oz tomato sauce canned, reserve half for gravy
- Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Ketchup to cover the top
For the Gravy
- 3/4 cup meatloaf drippings approx
- 1/2 can of reserved tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp flour or cornmeal to thicken
- Milk or water to thicken further
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Use your hands or a big spoon to mix thoroughly.
- Shape the meatloaf in the loaf pan, leaving space around the edges to collect the drippings.
- Cook for 30 minutes.
- Take out of the oven, and cover the top with ketchup.
- Cook for another 30 minutes, or until done in the center. (May take longer, just depends.)
- To make the gravy, pour off the drippings into a saucepan.
- Add the tomato sauce and heat.
- Sprinkle in the flour, and whisk well. It will start to thicken.
- Add the milk or water, and whisk again.
- Serve at your desired thickness!
