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Cozy Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Easy Sweet Brown Sugar Glaze

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A tender, juicy meatloaf with a caramelized, sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze that offers classic comfort food with a flavorful twist. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • ½ lb ground pork
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup (divided, for glaze and mix)
  • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: dried thyme or parsley
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon oil (for sautéing onion and garlic)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare the glaze by whisking together ½ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. Soften the breadcrumbs by combining 1 cup breadcrumbs with ½ cup milk in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
  4. Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté ½ cup finely chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  5. Add 1 lb ground beef, ½ lb ground pork, sautéed onion and garlic, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and optional herbs to the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Shape the mixture into a loaf about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide in a baking dish or loaf pan. Do not pack too tightly.
  7. Spread about half of the prepared glaze evenly over the top of the loaf using a basting brush or back of a spoon.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven and spread the remaining glaze over the loaf.
  10. Return to oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
  11. Let the meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy and intact.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the loaf tender. Rest the meatloaf before slicing to retain juices. If glaze starts to burn, tent with foil. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free crumbs. Dairy-free option: substitute milk with almond or oat milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, classic meatloaf, sweet brown sugar glaze, comfort food, easy meatloaf, ground beef and pork, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/cozy-classic-meatloaf-recipe-with-easy-sweet-brown-sugar-glaze/