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Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Best Recipe

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This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf features a crackly, caramelized brown sugar crust that locks in moisture and creates an irresistible sweet-savory flavor. It’s simple enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for company, and comes together in about an hour with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup (120g) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) milk (whole preferred)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup (plus 1/4 cup/60ml for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup (100g) dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until breadcrumbs absorb most of the liquid.
  3. Add eggs, 1/2 cup ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to the soaked breadcrumbs. Whisk until well combined into a thick paste.
  4. Stir in diced onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly distributed.
  5. Add ground beef to the bowl. Using clean hands, gently mix until just combined—do not overmix. Stop when you see small streaks of breadcrumb mixture.
  6. Transfer meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press gently to shape, avoiding air pockets, but do not pack too firmly.
  7. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar evenly over the top of the raw meatloaf. Do not press it in. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup in a thin layer over the brown sugar.
  8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the center. If top browns too quickly (around 40 minutes), tent loosely with foil.
  9. Let meatloaf rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Internal temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) during this time.
  10. Slice into 1-inch thick slices and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best crust, use dark brown sugar. Do not skip soaking the breadcrumbs in milk—this keeps the meatloaf moist. Mix gently to avoid a dense texture. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. If using leaner beef (93/7), add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the mixture. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. For a spicy kick, add 1-2 teaspoons sriracha to the ketchup mixture or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne to the brown sugar topping.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/easy-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-best-recipe/