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Cozy Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf: Easy Weeknight Dinner

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This cozy brown sugar glazed meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a sweet and sticky glaze that caramelizes into a candied crust over savory, juicy meat. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (Italian-style preferred)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a 9×5-inch loaf pan on top.
  2. Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, beaten eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons ketchup.
  5. Stir in breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow breadcrumbs to absorb liquid.
  6. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the bowl. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined (about 30 seconds). Do not overmix.
  7. Transfer mixture to the loaf pan and press gently to shape, ensuring no air pockets. Slightly round the top.
  8. Pour half of the glaze over the meatloaf and spread evenly, letting some drip down the sides. Reserve remaining glaze.
  9. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon pan juices over the top.
  10. Pour remaining glaze over the meatloaf and spread evenly. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  11. Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and spoon extra glaze from the pan over the top.
  12. Slice into 1-inch thick slices and serve with remaining pan juices.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid a tough texture. Let the breadcrumbs soak in the wet ingredients for a few minutes for a more tender meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. The glaze can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge. For extra glaze, make 1.5 times the recipe.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-easy-weeknight-dinner/