Of the roughly 600 recipes we publish every year, some stand out more than others. Some get more reviews. Some recipes prompt handwritten letters from readers. But if we are strictly talking about popularity, then we have to look at the recipes that our readers save to their MyRecipes accounts. The personal recipe box is our newest and easiest way to organize your Southern Living favorites, so you can make them again and again.
There was one recipe that readers saved more than any other this year. It’s not particularly glamorous (it’s actually a classic), although it has a pretty catchy name. It’s a suppertime staple, but not just in the South.
The recipe our readers just couldn’t get enough of was our Million Dollar Meatloaf, and yes, it lives up to that name.
Why You’ll Love The Recipe
Not to knock Lipton, but part of what makes this meatloaf so special is that there’s no soup mix, well, in the mix. Instead, the recipe relies on fresh sweet onion and garlic, with savory notes added via Worcestershire sauce.
Eggs and evaporated milk help keep the mixture super moist (nobody wants a dry meatloaf), and both ingredients bind with the buttery crushed crackers to create the perfect meatloaf texture: soft, but also just the right amount of firm so it doesn’t fall apart.
What really makes this dish special is our Southern twist on the glaze. Yes, there’s ketchup, per tradition, but also pepper jelly. This adds a touch of heat, helping the glaze taste less one note or cloying. Heat-seekers can really take things up a notch by also adding a dash of cayenne or your favorite hot sauce.
What Our Readers Think
If you have any doubts about how good this recipe is, just listen to what the recipe reviews have to say:
“This was by far the best meatloaf I [have] ever had! The pepper jelly and ketchup was a great combination. The meatloaf was moist and delicious.”
“I made it according to the recipe but cheated and used a garlic press to save my knuckles. My family loved it! Will definitely add to my rotation.”
“This was so delicious! I took the leftovers to work and my coworkers said it tasted like a million!”
“My company said it was the best they have ever tasted!!”
“It’s perfect just as written. I can’t leave it alone.”
Dining and Cooking