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Easy Classic Meatloaf Without Bread Crumbs (Low Carb)

Easy classic meatloaf without breadcrumbs is a low carb recipe that everyone will love. The dinner makes a moist meatloaf that is a comforting meal for the entire family.

With a few ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, seasonings, and ground beef, you’ll have a meal that everyone will ask for again and again.

The Best Meatloaf Recipe

Classic meatloaf on a white plate with potatoes and green beans.

We eat a lot of meatloaf around here, and we like to try new ways to make it so it has a bit of a different flavor.

This is a new recipe for us and we all really enjoyed it. We were skeptical at first because it didn’t have breadcrumbs and that’s how we usually eat it, but the whole family loved it. And, it’s a very flavorful meatloaf.

The best part of this easy meatloaf recipe is that it doesn’t contain breadcrumbs, so you’re getting a low carb alternative to the basic meatloaf recipe. And, it’s gluten-free.

Keep It Lower Carb

Do you love meatloaf but hate the extra carbs from the breadcrumbs?

This meatloaf is made without any breadcrumbs, and it’s still just as delicious.

So if you’re looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional meatloaf, give this recipe a try.

What Ingredients Do I Need For Meal Prep?

The recipe calls for a few simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry.

  • Ground beef
  • Eggs (egg yolks and whites)
  • Ketchup
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic salt
  • Diced onions
  • Parsley flakes
  • Brown sugar (optional)

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card. Nutritional information is below.

Other favorite optional ingredients:

  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Diced green pepper
  • Diced red pepper
  • Lipton onion soup mix
  • Minced garlic
  • Parmesan cheese

Give these delicious side dishes a try with meatloaf.

How Do I Make The Basic Meatloaf Recipe?

  1. Heat the oven up to 425-degrees and place your loaf pan into the oven while you prepare the meat loaf.
  2. Add the ground beef to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Next, add the eggs, slightly beaten, to the bowl.
  4. Add the salt, pepper, garlic salt, parsley flakes, Worcestershire sauce, diced onions, and ketchup to the bowl and mix well.
  5. Take the loaf pan out of the oven, and spray with some olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
  6. Gently press the meat into the pan and press it against the side, creating a flat top. (Be careful as the pan will be hot. I used a wooden spoon).
  7. Place the meatloaf in the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes and then lower the temperature to 375-degrees.
  8. Bake for another 30 minutes.
  9. Take the meatloaf out of the oven and mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar, and spread over the top.
  10. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 45 minutes uncovered.

Have you tried meatloaf with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix? It’s delish!

Classic meatloaf on a white plate.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Before getting started on the meatloaf, preheat the oven to 425-degrees and place the loaf pan into the oven to heat up while you get the meal ready.

Ground sirloin in a glass bowl.

Start the classic dish by adding the ground beef to a large bowl.

I used 90/10 ground beef for this recipe because you don’t want to end up with too much grease.

And, you’re saving some calories by eating lean ground beef. Win-win!

A little bit of grease is fine because it will help keep the meatloaf moist.

Eggs and beef in a glass bowl.

Next, add three eggs, slightly beaten, to the bowl.

The eggs are going to help bind the meatloaf together. Since you don’t have the breadcrumbs to bind it together, the eggs will do the work.

Ground beef with seasonings and eggs

Next, add the salt, black pepper, garlic salt, and parsley flakes to the bowl.

If you decide to add any of those items, add them before mixing the ingredients together.

Pouring Worcestershire sauce on beef.

Pour the Worcestershire sauce into the bowl.

Ketchup, onions, and meat in a bowl.

Finally, add the ketchup and diced onions. Mix everything together well.

I used my hands to mix everything together because it really works the best.

Ground beef in a loaf pan.

Take the loaf pan out of the oven and spritz some olive oil or non-stick cooking spray around the inside and press the meat into the pan.

Be very careful, because it will be hot. I used a wooden spoon to press it down into the pan.

This is a trick I learned from Debby over at Southern Home Express. She said to press the meatloaf mixture into the hot pan to help it seal up the edges.

That will help keep the meatloaf from falling apart on the outer edges.

Place the loaf pan back into the oven and bake at 425-degrees for 15 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 375-degrees and bake for 30-minutes.

Bake uncovered.

If you’re worried about the grease or ketchup dripping over the side you can place a baking sheet pan underneath and cover it with some aluminum foil.

For this recipe, I used a stoneware pan that is 9-inches by 5-inches by 3-inches tall.

Brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.

When the timer goes off, pull the meatloaf out of the oven.

Don’t be tempted to pour out any grease because that will help keep it moist.

In a small mixing bowl combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.

Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the meatloaf. But, it’s also optional. If you don’t like the added sweetness, you can leave it out.

Topping meatloaf with a ketchup mixture.

Spread the remaining sauce over the top of the meatloaf and return to the oven for another 45-minutes.

It’s such a simple sauce, but it’s so tasty on the top.

Bake uncovered.

It’s recommended to get your meat’s internal temperature to 160-degrees. You can test it with a digital or meat thermometer.

The meatloaf will be a tad crumbly, but it’s so flavorful.

Meatloaf on a plate with green beans and mashed potatoes.

Side Dishes That Go Well With The Classic Meatloaf Recipe:

Gluten-Free side dishes:

Meatloaf on a white plate.

Can meatloaf be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze meatloaf before cooking. You’ll want to mix all of the ingredients and press the meatloaf into a loaf shape and cover it with Saran Wrap and place it in a freezer-safe or airtight container.

When you’re ready to make the meatloaf, take it out of the freezer and place it into the refrigerator to thaw. It will take at least 24 hours to thaw enough to cook.

Remove the Saran Wrap and cook the meatloaf.

As a side note, if you thawed the meat on the counter, do not refreeze the meat, as it may not be safe because of bacteria.

Low Carb Comfort Food

Meatloaf is a family favorite and if you’re a fan of it and you want a low carb option, this is the best way to make it.

This is a moist and delicious recipe.

If you’re looking for a delicious and low-carb alternative to traditional meatloaf, then this recipe is definitely for you.

It’s simple to make and it’s just as tasty as the original. So go ahead and give it a try.

I promise you won’t be disappointed. And if you do end up making this recipe, please let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.

Easy Classic Meatloaf Without Bread Crumbs (Low Carb)

Check out the meatloaf without bread crumbs recipe card below, grab those ingredients, and start cooking! This is a great meal that is a family favorite.

Then, share your comments below and share a picture of your meal on the Pinterest Pin!  If you made any changes or added something different, be sure to share it with us so we can try it, too!

Classic meatloaf on a white plate with potatoes and green beans.

Easy Classic Meatloaf Without Bread Crumbs (Low Carb)

Yield: 6 pieces
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Easy classic meatloaf without breadcrumbs is a low carb recipe that everyone will love. The dinner makes a moist meatloaf that is a comforting meal for the entire family.

Ingredients

Meatloaf

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 3 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 4 Tbsp. ketchup
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground pepper
  • 1 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
  • 1/2 cup diced onions

Topping

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

Instructions

Meatloaf

  1. Preheat the oven to 425-degrees and place the loaf pan into the oven to heat.
  2. In a large bowl combine the ground beef, eggs, 4 Tbsp. ketchup, 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic salt, parsley flakes, diced onions, and mix well with your hands.
  3. Remove the loaf pan from the oven and spray with non-stick spray or olive oil and press the meatloaf mixture into the pan (be careful as it will be hot. I used a wooden spoon to press it down into the pan). Make sure to press the meat mixture against the sides as best as you can.
  4. Return the pan with the meatloaf to the oven and cook at 425-degrees for 15 minutes.
  5. After 15 minutes, lower the temperature to 375-degrees and cook for 30 more minutes. Bake uncovered.

Meatloaf Topping

  1. In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, and 1 Tbsp. brown sugar and mix well.
  2. Spread over the meatloaf and cook for another 45 minutes at 375-degrees. Bake uncovered.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 490Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 228mgSodium: 1138mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 44g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Cathy

Saturday 5th of February 2022

Hi the amount of burger in this recipe seems to be hidden behind an ad. How much do I need? Thanks.

Julie Pollitt

Sunday 6th of February 2022

Hi Cathy, sorry about that. It’s two pounds. Hope you love it!

Brittney

Wednesday 1st of December 2021

I only have a pound of ground beef, what would be the cook time for that?

Julie Pollitt

Thursday 2nd of December 2021

Hi Brittney, you can probably shave off about 15 minutes. But, make sure it's done before taking too much out of the pan.

Aaron

Thursday 4th of November 2021

Would this work with chicken, turkey, or a blend? Does this freeze well?

Julie Pollitt

Thursday 4th of November 2021

Hi Aaron, You can use ground turkey for the recipe. I haven't used ground chicken, but I think it would work. Meatloaf does freeze well. Hope you love it!

Melissa Silva

Tuesday 28th of September 2021

So quick question am I baking it for 30 minutes at 375 without the topping and then add the topping and cook for another 45 minutes? Or is it giving options with and without the topping? So without the toppings 30 minutes with the topping 45 minutes? Which is it it doesn't say

Julie Pollitt

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

Hi Melissa, Sorry it's not clear.

Cook the meatloaf at 425-degrees for 15 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 375-degrees and cook for 30 more minutes. (This is all without the topping).

Then, take the pan out of the oven, add the topping, return it to the oven and cook for another 45-minutes at 375-degrees.

So, the cooking is a total of one and a half hours. Hope that helps!

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Friday 4th of June 2021

[…] Juicy Meatloaf – This recipe is on my friend Julie’s Back to My Southern Roots blog, and it’s extremely yummy. […]

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