Name: Mum's Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 500 g sausage; 500 g beef mince; 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 2 tsp curry powder; 2 onion; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup tomato sauce; 2 tsp white vinegar; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 25 g butter

by Natasha Shaw Last updated on 05/14/2025

A meatloaf is just like a really big sausage – that’s what I tell my kids, anyway! This recipe is super juicy, and the tangy sauce that goes with it is super divine. The cook’s mum gave her this recipe, as it was the only way she would eat meatloaf as a child. She now makes it for her kids and they love it! Yours will, too 🙂

How to make Mum’s meatloaf: key tips

Start by removing the casings from your sausages (and discard them), so that all you are left with is the mince mixture inside.

This recipe is incredibly easy – you just mix all the meatloaf ingredients together, place the mixture in a large baking dish (or roasting pan) and use your hands to shape it into a loaf. Think of it as Play-doh for adults!

While the meatloaf is baking for a bit, you can get cracking on the sauce, which is just a matter of cooking everything in a saucepan and then pouring it over the meatloaf. The meatloaf, now covered in sauce, gets baked for another 45 minutes. Around every 10 minutes, use a basting brush to baste the meatloaf in the sauce that surrounds it, and watch the top begin to caramelise beautifully.

Key ingredients in Mum’s meatloaf recipe

You can use whatever flavoured sausages you like for this recipe, but opt for thick sausages so you don’t have to peel as many! Spicier mixtures, or those containing herbs, will add more seasoning to your meatloaf.

Opt for a leaner beef mince, if you want to minimise the fat in this dish. Curry powder may seem like an unusual addition but it really adds depth of flavour.

The sauce (and glaze), made from heating up some water, tomato sauce, white vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and butter, is a tangy masterpiece. The big tip from the reviewers below is to double it! Of course, it can also be substituted with tomato sauce.

Here are some more family-friendly recipes that use sausages. This sausage casserole is also a winter winner.

This recipe was originally submitted by Juanita Shackleton, a member of the Australia’s Best Recipe community. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Natasha Shaw.

- Natasha Shaw

Ingredients

Meatloaf

500 g sausage
500 g beef mince
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tsp curry powder
2 onion

Sauce

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 tsp white vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
25 g butter

Method

Step 1

Combine all loaf ingredients and mix well.
Step 2

Put into an ovenproof dish with enough room for basting.
Step 3

Shape into a loaf and bake at 180C for 30-45 minutes.
Step 4

While loaf is baking, place sauce ingredients in a pan, bring to the boil then simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 5

Pour over loaf and bake for a further 45 minutes, basting frequently.

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

What do I serve Mum’s meatloaf with?

Mashed potatoes is always my go-to, and vegies such as steamed frozen peas or beans, broccoli and carrots. Don’t forget to drizzle over some of that amazing sauce that remains in the baking dish! Leftover cold slices of meatloaf make yummy sandwiches.