Description
Rich french meatloaf from julia child delivers classic comfort with ground beef, herbs, and savory seasonings. Home cooks can craft this hearty dish that promises warm satisfaction at dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup (180 ml) Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup (180 ml) milk
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup (120 ml) chili sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ketchup or chili sauce
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsps dried parsley)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 g) butter
- 2 tbsps (30 g) brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking dish with aluminum foil and apply cooking spray for effortless release.
- Flavor Foundation: Sauté onions in butter until translucent and softened, approximately 5 minutes. Set aside to cool, concentrating the aromatic essence.
- Moisture Blend: Combine eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs, allowing the mixture to meld and absorb moisture for 5-10 minutes, creating a cohesive binding agent.
- Meatloaf Assembly: Gently fold ground beef into the breadcrumb mixture, incorporating sautéed onions, ketchup, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix delicately to preserve a tender, light texture without compressing the meat.
- Shaping and Initial Roasting: Mold the meat mixture into a symmetrical loaf within the prepared pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, developing rich, deep flavors and ensuring thorough cooking.
- Glaze Creation and Finishing: Whisk chili sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar into a vibrant glaze. Remove the partially cooked meatloaf, generously brush with the sauce, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to caramelize and intensify the flavor profile.
- Resting and Serving: After removing from the oven, allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes. This critical pause enables internal juices to redistribute, guaranteeing succulent, perfectly textured slices when served.
Notes
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Handle the meat mixture delicately to prevent tough, dense meatloaf by avoiding excessive compression or overmixing.
- Moisture Magic: Let breadcrumb mixture rest 5-10 minutes to absorb liquid, creating a tender, juicy interior that won’t crumble when sliced.
- Resting Rules: Allow meatloaf 10 minutes of rest after cooking to redistribute internal juices, ensuring each slice remains succulent and perfectly textured.
- Glaze Game: Apply sauce in the final cooking stage to create a caramelized, sweet-tangy exterior that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg