Description
Classic meatloaf brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending ground beef, herbs, and savory seasonings into a hearty main dish. Home cooks will savor this simple yet satisfying meal that connects generations through its warm, nostalgic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 900 grams (2 pounds) minced beef
- 225 grams (8 ounces) thin-cut rindless streaky bacon
- 4 eggs
Binding and Texture:
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 onions (500 grams / 1 pound total)
- 5 tablespoons duck fat or butter
- 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes (or 1/2 teaspoon pouring salt)
Instructions
- Hard-boil eggs for precisely 7 minutes, immediately transfer to ice water, then carefully peel to prevent tearing.
- Gently sauté onions in duck fat or butter over low heat, stirring occasionally until deeply golden and caramelized, approximately 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
- Combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, cooled caramelized onions, fresh egg, breadcrumbs, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly without overmixing.
- Distribute half the meat mixture evenly across the loaf tin, creating a centered channel for egg placement.
- Carefully arrange peeled eggs in a precise row along the meat channel’s center.
- Delicately cover eggs with remaining meat mixture, smoothing and pressing to form a cohesive loaf shape.
- Drape bacon slices strategically across the meatloaf’s surface, tucking edges underneath to secure.
- Position in preheated oven at 200C / 180C fan / 400F, roasting for 1 hour and 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
- Remove from oven, allow meatloaf to rest for 15 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and enhance flavor profile.
- Slice into thick, generous portions and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly boiled eggs by using room temperature eggs and setting a timer precisely to avoid overcooking.
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning; stir occasionally and use low, consistent heat.
- Create a moist meatloaf by not overmixing the meat mixture, which can make the texture tough and dense.
- Enhance flavor by adding fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to the meat mixture for extra depth and aroma.
- Prep Time: 32-37 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg