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Grandma's 4-Ingredient Meatloaf

4 ingredient meatloaf with an easy mix-and-bake method and a sticky ketchup glaze. Ground beef loaf bakes to juicy slices with caramelized, shiny ketchup on top.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
rest 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 can (1 oz) onion soup mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 0.25 cup ketchup divided; use 1/4 cup in the loaf and 1/4 cup on top
  • 0.01 salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Prep and shape
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
  2. Combine ground beef, onion soup mix, eggs, and 1/4 cup ketchup until just mixed—do not overwork.
  3. Press the mixture into the loaf pan and smooth the top.
  4. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup over the top in an even layer.
Bake and rest
  1. Bake at 350°F for 55–65 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  2. Rest the meatloaf for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Pro tip: mix just until the ingredients come together so the meatloaf stays tender. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Freezing: yes, freeze sliced portions for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. For a lighter swap, use 93% lean ground beef instead of higher-fat beef to reduce grease without changing the ketchup glaze.