Tyler Florence’s Dad’s Meatloaf Will Become Your New Go-To Recipe for the Classic Dish

There’s something about tried-and-true family dishes that last generations: they’re dependable, they’re comforting, and they’re delicious.

Chef Tyler Florence‘s Meatloaf with Tomato Relish is a special family recipe inspired by his father. It’s a hit with the chef, of course, as well as with scores of Food Network fans.

Florence has been using his dad’s recipe for a long time

In his cookbook Tyler Florence’s Real Kitchen, the chef offers home cooks simple meals to tackle in their own kitchens. While some of his recipes are more ambitious than others, his dad’s meatloaf ranks as a humble, thoroughly doable dish that even a beginning cook can ace with pride. It’s also a recipe, Florence assures us, that will be sought-after by anyone who tastes it.

“There is no denying that meatloaf is the king of comfort food,” the Great Food Truck Race host writes. “Everyone loves meatloaf but is afraid to admit it. Trust me, before heading out the door, your guests will be asking you for your recipe.”

Florence added that his dad’s meatloaf hasn’t just been a winner in the family kitchen: “This is my dad’s recipe and I’ve been using it for years. This meatloaf was also one of the biggest hits at Cafeteria Restaurant in New York, where I was the chef.”

Tyler Florence’s dad’s meatloaf recipe is genius in its simplicity — and flavor

Calling for familiar ingredients found in most kitchens, Florence’s meatloaf’s charm is in its simplicity. It’s good, old-fashioned meatloaf that gets a kick from a vibrant relish.

For the meatloaf, home cooks will need ground beef, eggs, fresh thyme sprig leaves, fresh bread crumbs, bacon slices and, of course, salt and pepper. Florence notes that the bread crumbs are best made with two or three slices of slightly stale white bread, “crusts removed,” and ground in the food processor.

For the accompanying tangy tomato relish, the following ingredients are mixed in a bowl: extra-virgin olive oil, a chopped onion, minced garlic cloves, bay leaves, chopped red bell peppers, diced tomatoes, chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, an entire bottle of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper.

You’ll find the complete recipe, video, and reviews on Food Network’s site.

Many reviewers called Florence’s meatloaf ‘the best’

For many home cooks, meatloaf can be a hit-or-miss meal. Too much of one ingredient and the dish will either crumble or toughen. In the case of Florence’s recipe, however, quite a few Food Network reviewers — in fact over 600 five-star reviews — declared their search for the perfect meatloaf was over.

“I grew up with my mom’s meatloaf and loved it–hot or cold, it was a winner. But this?………this was THE best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten–moist, flavorful, with a killer relish,” one happy reviewer wrote.

Another home cook also praised the recipe, thanking Florence’s father: “I have tried to make meatloaf for over 30 years. I tried this recipe and served it to my neighbor & found it the best darn meatloaf in the world. Thank you [Tyler’s] dad. you rock!”