Easy Old-Fashioned Amish Meatloaf

This classic Amish-style meatloaf is a hearty, comforting dish made with simple ingredients and traditional homemade flavor. Tender ground beef is blended with breadcrumbs, onions, green peppers, and seasonings to create a moist, flavorful loaf. A delicious sweet and tangy glaze made with ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard adds the perfect finishing touch.

Easy to prepare and wonderfully satisfying, this homemade meatloaf is perfect for family dinners, Sunday suppers, or whenever you’re craving a traditional comfort-food meal.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Glaze

• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
2. Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, green bell pepper, beaten eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gently mix everything together until evenly combined. Avoid overworking the mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
3. Shape the meatloaf: Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Gently press it into an even shape, making sure the mixture is distributed throughout the pan.
4. Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard until smooth and well blended.
5. Add the topping: Spread the prepared glaze evenly over the surface of the meatloaf, covering the top.
6. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the center reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
7. Rest and serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to settle and helps keep each slice moist and tender.

Cook’s Notes & Helpful Tips

• Breadcrumb options: Regular or seasoned breadcrumbs both work well. Crushed saltine crackers are another great substitute.
• Milk choices: Whole milk adds extra richness, but other varieties of milk or a suitable non-dairy alternative can also be used.
• Don’t overmix: Combine the ingredients just until incorporated. Mixing too much can make the finished meatloaf dense and firm.
• Let it rest: Give the meatloaf about 10 minutes to rest before cutting. This helps preserve its moisture and makes slicing easier.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm slices of Amish meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, or buttery corn. Add a little extra ketchup glaze on the side for an even more delicious homemade meal.

This timeless comfort-food favorite is simple, filling, and full of the traditional flavors everyone loves!