Dolly’s Old-Fashioned Tennessee Meatloaf is a comforting, homestyle dinner made with simple ingredients and a tangy-sweet tomato glaze. The tender ground beef mixture comes together easily, then bakes until perfectly cooked and flavorful.
The combination of tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce gives the glaze a delicious sweet-and-savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the hearty meatloaf.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- ½ cup soft bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 oz
For the Glaze
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 oz
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and set it aside.
2. Make the Meatloaf Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, soft bread crumbs, egg, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, and half of the tomato sauce. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
Avoid overmixing, as this can make the finished meatloaf dense.
3. Shape the Meatloaf
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and shape it into a loaf.
4. Start Baking
Bake the meatloaf for about 45 minutes.
5. Prepare the Glaze
While the meatloaf is baking, add the remaining tomato sauce, water, vinegar, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the flavors come together.
6. Add the Glaze
After the first 45 minutes of baking, spoon the tomato glaze generously over the meatloaf.
7. Finish Baking
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F (71°C).
8. Rest and Serve
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices settle and makes the meatloaf easier to serve.
⭐ Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the beef: Mix just until the ingredients come together for a tender texture.
- Use soft bread crumbs: They help keep the meatloaf moist and tender.
- Let it rest: A short resting period makes cleaner slices and helps retain moisture.
- Taste the glaze: The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors is what gives this meatloaf its distinctive character.
- Check the temperature: Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) in the center.
🍽️ What to Serve with
Tennessee Meatloaf
This meatloaf is perfect with classic comfort-food sides such as creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, or roasted vegetables.
A little extra glaze spooned over each slice makes it even more delicious.
🧊 Storage and Reheating
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Individual slices can be reheated in the microwave, or you can warm larger portions covered in the oven until heated through.
The cooked meatloaf can also be frozen for longer storage. Wrap individual slices well and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
📋 Recipe Information
Prep Time: About 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60–65 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Category: Dinner
Cuisine: Southern American
❤️ Final Thoughts
This old-fashioned Tennessee-style meatloaf is the kind of meal that brings classic Southern comfort straight to the dinner table. The tender beef, soft breadcrumbs, onions, and flavorful tomato glaze create a satisfying combination that works beautifully for a family dinner.
Serve it with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable for a simple, hearty meal everyone can enjoy.