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Classic Beef Meatloaf Recipe with Sweet Brown Sugar Glaze

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A comforting and easy-to-make classic beef meatloaf with a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully, delivering juicy, tender slices perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (90 g)
  • 1/2 cup milk (120 ml), whole milk preferred
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup (60 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • For the sweet brown sugar glaze:
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (70 g), light brown sugar preferred
  • 1/4 cup ketchup (60 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, and milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow breadcrumbs to absorb moisture.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, egg, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with hands or a spatula until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a 9×5-inch loaf pan or baking sheet and shape into a compact loaf about 8×4 inches. Smooth the top with a wet spatula.
  5. Prepare the glaze by mixing brown sugar, ketchup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl until smooth and glossy.
  6. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  7. Bake uncovered for 55-65 minutes. Check around 50 minutes; if the glaze is browning too fast, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
  9. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid a dense loaf. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safety. Let the meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. If glaze browns too quickly, tent with foil. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free crackers or oats. Milk can be swapped with unsweetened almond milk to lighten the recipe.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef meatloaf, classic meatloaf, sweet brown sugar glaze, comfort food, easy meatloaf recipe, family dinner, savory meatloaf

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/classic-beef-meatloaf-recipe-with-sweet-brown-sugar-glaze-easy-and-perfect/