Name: Lipton Onion Soup Mix Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup mix; 1 ¼ cup Italian-style panko bread crumbs; ¾ cup half-and-half; ½ cup onion (roughly chopped); ⅓ cup ketchup; 2 large eggs; 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 pounds ground beef (I used 80/20); fresh parsley (finely chopped, optional garnish); ½ cup ketchup; 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar

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Lipton onion soup mix meatloaf is a tasty twist on the ever-popular classic recipe- just easier! Made with simple ingredients, including seasoned breadcrumbs, onion soup mix, and lean ground beef, this delicious meatloaf smothered in a sweet and tangy glaze is the perfect comfort meal on busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, and anytime in between.

Lipton onion soup mix meatloaf with ketchup glaze on a cutting board with box of soup mix in background.

If your family loves meatloaf as much as mine does, you should give my Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe a try too. It is also a family favorite in our house!

But back to this flavorful meatloaf recipe. It features a secret ingredient that adds tons of flavor: Lipton Onion Soup Mix. Genius!

Just a few ingredients go into the simple recipe, making it easily accessible and budget-friendly. It’s a perfect easy weeknight meal that comes in handy when you don’t know what to make with all the ground beef you picked up at the grocery store.

Two slices of glazed lipton onion soup metloaf with green beans on a black plate.

Serve this juicy meatloaf with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies, for a complete homestyle comfort meal that will rival any traditional meatloaf recipe you’ve had.

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s an easy recipe that the whole family will enjoy.
The ketchup and brown sugar glaze make things a little sweet and saucy!
You never have to worry about it falling apart. This meatloaf with onion soup mix holds its loaf shape very well.
It’s tender and moist and I show you how to avoid dry meatloaf.
Makes great leftovers and it’s freezer-friendly.

Ingredients for Easy Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Italian style panko breadcrumbs, ground beef, half and half, chopped onion, light brown sugar, 2 eggs, Lipton onion soup mix, fresh parsley, ketchup, and Worchestershire sauce.

Lipton Onion Soup mix – You’ll need a packet of Lipton onion soup mix which replaces a laundry list of herbs and spices. It adds a ton of wonderful onion flavor!
Panko bread crumbs – I use the Italian style seasoned with Italian seasoning. If you have plain Panko breadcrumbs, go ahead and use them and mix them with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Breadcrumbs help to absorb excess moisture, so they play a key part in holding the loaf together.
Half-and-half – When combined with the breadcrumbs it acts as a binder and helps keep it moist. This is especially important when using lean ground beef. You can also use whole milk if preferred.
Onion – You’ll need about 1/2 a medium onion roughly chopped. Fresh onions will add “real” onion flavor to the meat mixture.
Ketchup – Adds a bit of sweet tomato-y flavor.
Eggs – For binding everything together.
Worcestershire sauce – Adds a salty, savory, umami flavor to the meat.
Ground beef – I usually go with lean ground beef, (80/20). I find extra lean (90/10) doesn’t provide enough flavor or moisture.
Parsley – Wash, dry, and finely chop it for an optional garnish.
For the meatloaf glaze – Ketchup and brown sugar make a sweet and tangy glaze.

How to Make Onion Soup Mix Meatloaf

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Mix the seasoning and binders. In a food processor, blend the soup mix, Panko crumbs, half and half, onion, ketchup, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce for a minute until the onion is finely diced.

Ingredients in food processor before and after being combined.

Step 2: Combine the mixture with the ground beef. In a large mixing bowl, gently mix them until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Ground beef and onion soup mixture before and after being combined in a large bowl.

Step 3: Assemble the loaf. Place the ground beef mixture onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Use your hands to form it into a loaf. You can use a loaf pan too.

Meatloaf formed into loaf shape on foil lined baking sheet with a bowl of glaze beside it.

Step 4: Add the top glaze. Stir together the ketchup and brown sugar glaze and spoon or brush overtop.

Spoon pouring glazed over meatloaf on foil lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake, cool, and serve. Place baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for 55-60 minutes. Once it’s ready, allow it to cool and settle for 10 minutes before cutting into slices.

Glazed meatloaf on baking sheet after baking and meatloaf being sliced on cutting baord.

Pro Tip:

I highly recommend you use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Even when it looks done on the outside, sometimes the center of the meatloaf can still be pink. Once it reaches 160°F it’s ready.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Wrap leftover meatloaf tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container to maintain moisture. It’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator and perfect for leftovers for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Once the meatloaf has cooled completely, tightly wrap up leftovers in plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Transfer it to a freezer bag and keep it frozen for up to 1 month. You can either freeze the meatloaf whole or slice it first and wrap the individual slices to make it easier to thaw.

Make Ahead: If you know you’re making this meatloaf ahead of time to freeze it for down the road, leave off the glaze on top of the meatloaf. Add that on top once you thaw it just before you reheat it.

How to Reheat: Individual slices of meatloaf can be reheated on a microwave-safe plate for a couple of minutes in the microwave. If you have a larger portion of the loaf to reheat, I suggest using the oven.

Meatloaf on cutting board, half has been sliced.

Tips for this Easy Meatloaf Recipe

No food processor? No worries. The food processor makes life a little easier by mincing the raw onion quickly, but you can make it without one. Use a sharp knife to finely chop the raw onion and then mix it with the rest of the ingredients by hand.
Do not overwork the meat. If you overmix the meatloaf ingredients or pack them too firmly it can cause your meatloaf to be dry. Mix until just combined for a tender, moist meatloaf.
Let the meatloaf rest before slicing. This will give time for the juices to settle and redistribute so that they don’t run out leaving behind a dry meatloaf!

Substitutions & Variations

Soup Mix: I use the regular flavor of Onion Soup Mix, but if there’s a flavor you prefer such as Golden Onion, Beefy Onion, or Onion Mushroom, feel free to use it.
Bread Crumbs: Substitute the Panko bread crumbs for regular bread crumbs. You could also use crushed saltine or Ritz crackers instead. Just remember to add the Italian seasoning separately.
Ground Turkey: For a lighter option, you can use ground turkey. This lean meat doesn’t have a lot of flavor to begin with, so don’t skimp on any of the seasoning. You might even want to add extra seasoning like garlic powder, salt, pepper, etc.
Ground Pork: Ground pork is another option that will lend a bit of a different flavor. You could combine ground beef and pork if you wanted.

Plate with 2 slices of meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

Serving Suggestions

As with any classic meatloaf recipe, mashed potatoes and green beans always make a hearty meal.

You can also serve the flavorful meatloaf with some of my family’s favorite side dishes like old fashioned cream corn, ham and pea salad ,and the best creamed spinach.

Enjoy leftovers by making meatloaf sandwiches! This Lipton meatloaf recipe is just as good the next day.

Lipton Onion Soup Mix Meatloaf