Pork Meatloaf

Name: Pork Meatloaf
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 rib celery rib, finely chopped; 1 carrot, finely chopped; 0.5 cup green onions (scallions), finely chopped; 3 clove garlic cloves, minced; 2 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 0.25 cup ketchup, divided; 2 lb ground pork, preferably 80/20; 0.67 cup fresh bread crumbs; 1 large large egg, lightly beaten

Classic Pork Meatloaf with Garden Vegetables

Ground pork makes for an incredibly juicy meatloaf, especially when you fold in a medley of sautéed vegetables for extra moisture and flavor. The tangy ketchup glaze caramelizes beautifully as it bakes, creating that perfect sweet-savory crust we all remember from childhood dinners.

AmericanDinnerComfort FoodMeal PrepBakingPork

Prep20 min

Cook1 hr

Total1 hr 20 min

Servings6

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

2 tbspunsalted butter
1 cupyellow onion, finely chopped
1 ribcelery rib, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
½ cupgreen onions (scallions), finely chopped
3 clovegarlic cloves, minced
2 tspkosher salt
½ tspfreshly ground black pepper
2 tspWorcestershire sauce
¼ cupketchup, divided
2 lbground pork, preferably 80/20
⅔ cupfresh bread crumbs
1 largelarge egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

Heat your oven to 350°F and adjust the rack to the middle position. This moderate temperature will cook the meatloaf evenly without drying it out.
Warm the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it's fully melted and starting to foam. Add the onions, celery, carrot, green onions, and garlic, stirring to coat everything in the butter. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally — the vegetables should start to soften but not brown.
⏱ 5 min
Cover the skillet and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. The carrots should be tender enough to pierce easily with a fork, and everything should smell fragrant and sweet.
⏱ 5 min
Stir in the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and about 1 tablespoon of the ketchup (roughly one-third). Cook for 1 minute to let the flavors meld, then remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely — hot vegetables will partially cook the egg when mixed with the meat.
⏱ 1 min
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled vegetable mixture, ground pork, bread crumbs, and beaten egg. Using clean hands, gently mix everything together until just combined — overmixing will make the meatloaf dense and tough.
Transfer the mixture to a standard 9x5-inch loaf pan, pressing it gently to eliminate air pockets, or shape it into a free-form loaf on a rimmed baking sheet for better browning. Spread the remaining ketchup evenly over the top.
Bake for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center. The top should be nicely caramelized and the juices should run clear.
⏱ 1 hr
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing — this allows the juices to redistribute and makes for cleaner slices. Use a thin metal spatula to carefully lift it from the pan if using a loaf pan.
⏱ 10 min