The Originators of Quick & Easy Cooking!
Diner-Style Meat Loaf

- SERVES
- 6
- COOK TIME
- 1 Hr
In the 1950's diners were a popular place to go when you were cravin' classic and comforting tastes. Our Diner-Style Meatloaf recipe offers both of those, and it'll take you back to the "good old days" after just one bite!
What You'll Need
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 3 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
What to Do
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except ketchup; mix well. Press mixture evenly into a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan. Spread ketchup over top.
- Bake 60 to 65 minutes, or until no pink remains and juices run clear. Remove from oven; drain and allow to sit 5 minutes. Slice and serve.
Notes
-
If you prefer to pass on the ketchup, no problem! You can either use spaghetti sauce or just leave it plain.
-
Follow up this tasty meal with a slice of our Diner-Style Banana Cream Pie.
- Check out more great recipes with ground beef in our free eCookbook, Ground Beef Recipes: 25 Quick & Easy Recipes for Ground Beef.
skiddy72
May 09, 2018
I bet this would be even more delicious with a nice Marinara sauce on top instead of the ketchup..then maybe some mozzarella cheese on top the last few minutes of cooking...
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chris28304 7517324
Jul 26, 2015
Good old fashioned meatloaf like grandma used to make.
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SouthernMaster
Aug 30, 2014
I will try this, but free form, not in a loaf pan. No grease, & the crust adds so much flavor.
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marilynneis 0497351
Aug 15, 2014
What kind of gravy and how to make it. The gravy in the video looks delicious with meatloaf and potatoes.
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Test Kitchen Team
Sep 02, 2014
Hello Marilyn! You can top it off with any beef gravy from your local supermarket, or try our Back-to-Basics Brown Gravy. Enjoy!
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Lynn3234
Apr 15, 2014
I've also made my cold salads,( macaroni and potato salad) with dry mustard added. I'm from Michigan and I learned how to make the cold salads from my grandma and my mom. I also learned to make my meatloaf with the ground mustard, just a touch, (about 1/4th teaspoon) and it does give the meatloaf a nice zing. I also add a few more ingredients but the basic meatloaf is like the one presented here. Meatloaf is fun because you can make each loaf your own creation with different ingredients. :)
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Mr Mister
Aug 21, 2014
Thanks for the tip regarding dry mustard, from a fellow Michigander.
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renegade159 4550369
Sep 09, 2013
I've been making meatloaf for over 40 yrs. and have never seen mustard being used!! I wonder what that is supposed to create?? Maybe one day I'll give it a try!!
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catlady6866 2887274
Sep 09, 2013
renegade......Of course, you can leave the dry mustard out if you prefer. I don't usually add it, but when I tried it one time... it DID give the meatloaf a tiny bit more 'punch' of flavor. What I can't understand is why folks would add mustard (from a jar) to a delicious dish of potato salad, or to a nice cold pasta salad! I think that it's a 'midwestern' and 'southern' thing, but I never make my salads that way. (I'm from New England). Mayo (with maybe a bit of sour cream) is the way to go, baby! I love mustard, but not in my cold salads.
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bonniewbeck6 7850932
Aug 30, 2014
I was born and raises in Montgomery Alabama and still live here I have been putting mustard in my meatloaf and potato salad for over 48 years this is how my Grandmother taught me to make it. She was a very good cook she won many of many cooking contest and was well known for it.
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lucretia1010 9633722
Apr 22, 2017
I haven't tried the dry mustard in my meatloaf but I do put regular mustard in my potato salad..guess I am one of those southern cooks,,,from WV lol
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catlady6866 2887274
Sep 03, 2013
I've been making meatloaf this way ever since I got married many years ago, except that I also add some finely diced green bell pepper and a small clove of minced garlic. This recipe is very basic, but it's truly terrific! I use lean ground sirloin (so it's not swimming in grease) and it's about as healthy and tasty as you can make a meatloaf to be. Nine times out of ten, the simplest of recipes are the best!
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didear
Nov 15, 2013
catlady, I was born and raised in southern california and we ALWAYS use mustard in our potato & macaroni salad and our deviled eggs. It adds that "punch".
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bonniewbeck6 7850932
Aug 30, 2014
I was born and raised in Montgomery Alabama and still live here I have been putting mustard in my meatloaf and potato salad for over 48 years this is how my Grandmother taught me to make it. She was a very good cook she won many of many cooking contest and was well known for it. So I am about as Southern as you get so NO it is not a Southern thing just a personal preference.
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QuickDigits 4129941
Aug 22, 2013
I made this meatloaf this afternoon and served it to my husband just now. He Loves it! It's tender and juicy, unlike a lot of meatloaf recipes I have tried. I give it 5 stars!!
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tinamevans57 6163630
Aug 20, 2013
Why do you add water please let me know
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Test Kitchen Team
Aug 21, 2013
There is no water in this recipe. Are you possibly referring to another recipe? Thank you.
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