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Easy Weeknight Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

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This Easy Weeknight Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together in about an hour with simple pantry ingredients. The sticky-sweet glaze caramelizes into a candied crust, making it a weeknight hero that even picky eaters love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • ½ cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Sauté the onion and garlic: Heat a small skillet over medium heat with a splash of olive oil. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Make the brown sugar glaze: In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Whisk over medium heat until it comes to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy. Set aside to cool.
  4. Prepare the breadcrumb mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs with ½ cup milk. Let sit for about 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and form a paste-like mixture (panade).
  5. Mix the meatloaf ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 pounds ground beef, the soaked breadcrumb mixture, 2 lightly beaten eggs, ⅓ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, the sautéed onion and garlic, 1½ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1 tablespoon dried parsley. Use your hands to mix gently until just combined—about 30 seconds. Do not overmix.
  6. Shape and transfer: Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or oil. Press the meat mixture into the pan evenly, eliminating air pockets. Alternatively, shape into a free-form loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Apply the glaze: Spoon about half of the brown sugar glaze over the top of the meatloaf and spread evenly. Reserve the remaining glaze.
  8. Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, spread the remaining glaze over the top, and return to the oven for another 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) at the center.
  9. Rest: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, tented loosely with foil.
  10. Slice and serve: After resting, transfer the meatloaf to a cutting board. Slice into 1-inch thick pieces. Spoon any remaining glaze from the pan over the slices. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid a dense texture. Let the breadcrumbs soak for 5 minutes to create a tender panade. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness at 160°F. Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Double the glaze for extra serving on the side. Line the loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/easy-weeknight-meatloaf-with-brown-sugar-glaze/