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    Home » Dinners » Delicious Meatloaf with Ground Beef, Onion and Tomato Sauce

    Published: Aug 25, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2022 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Delicious Meatloaf with Ground Beef, Onion and Tomato Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    One bite of this delicious ground beef meatloaf with onion and tomato sauce will take you back to a time when this was a tasty and economical dinner staple.

    Delicious meatloaf with tomato and onion on platter set on a bed of parsley

    A classic recipe of mid century moms

    Kevin's best buddy, Jim, recalls eating this meatloaf once a week as a little boy in the early 1960's. It was one of his favorite dinners growing up. Years later when he moved into his own place, his mom jotted the recipe down on an index card and gave it to him. When Kevin and I tasted it we both felt like we had stepped into a time machine -- the flavor is very different (delicious!) from the more modern versions of meatloaf we're used to. Would you believe that Jim has never made it? That's okay, when he comes to visit us, I'll make it for him!

    • Handwritten meatloaf recipe on index card page 1
    • Meatloaf recipe on index card, page 2

    Mom, Where does meatloaf come from?

    Meatloaf is of German origin and got its start in the United States from the Pennyslvanial Dutch settlers in colonial Pennsylvania. It became popular during the WWII era of the 1940's as it was economical, hearty, and easy to stretch. At that time it was made with whatever ground meats were available, sometimes including a combination of ground beef, pork, sausages and organ meats. Filler such as cornmeal, breadcrumbs or crackers were used to bind it together and stretch it.

    What is modern day meatloaf?

    Today when someone says they are making meatloaf, it could mean anything from a vegetarian or vegan version made with something like lentils or chickpeas, a turkey version, or one made with a combination of different meats. There are so many variations that you really don't know what you're going to get. But in the 1950's and 60's, virtually everyone's mom made meatloaf with ground beef, onion and tomato sauce. In the 70's, sometimes my mom would skip chopping the onions and add a pouch of dried onion soup instead.

    It Takes Just a Few Basic Ingredients

    Here's what you'll need to make delicious meatloaf with ground beef, onion and tomato sauce:

    • Ground Beef
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Egg
    • Salt
    • Onion
    • Crackers

    Making the meatloaf couldn't be any easier -- just put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands. Then form it into a loaf and bake! Serve it with classic sides like mashed potatoes and green beans.

    Tips for Success

    This recipe calls for ground chuck, which is generally 80% - 85% lean. I like a leaner version, so I use one pound of 90% or 92% lean ground beef, and ½ lb. of 85% lean ground beef for the extra flavor a little more fat adds.

    I like to shape my meatloaf and then place it on a low fat roasting pan with a drainage rack to cook rather than put it in a loaf pan. In my experience it cooks faster and more evenly when the air is allowed to circulate around it. If you prefer a loaf pan, it may need a few minutes longer to cook.

    Entire meatloaf on platter set on a bed of parsley

    Meatloaf with ground beef, onion and tomato sauce

    Nancy Blackstone
    This hearty meatloaf is packed with old fashioned flavor that's hard to resist. The best thing about making meatloaf is having it on sandwiches the next day!
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 55 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 255 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
    • 8 ounces can tomato sauce
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ cup yellow onion chopped
    • 12 saltine crackers crushed

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    • Put all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix together until fully combined.
    • Form into the shape of a loaf, and place on a roasting pan that allows drainage.
    • When done baking, remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. 

    Notes

    Modern Twist: Use ground turkey in place of ground beef for a modern meatloaf meal
    If you like, spread ketchup over top of the meatloaf before baking
    Cooking this on a roasting or broiling rack with drainage will make for a leaner and more evenly cooked meatloaf.
    The original recipe calls for ground chuck; I use ½ lb. of ground chuck (80-85% lean) and a pound of leaner ground beef to lower the overall fat without losing the taste.
    Meatloaf leftovers make excellent sandwiches!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 16gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 697mgPotassium: 354mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 157IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword 1950's meatloaf, 1960's meatloaf, meatloaf, midcentury meatloaf
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

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      Nancy and Bentley

      Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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