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Classic Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze – Best Easy Dinner

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This classic meatloaf with brown sugar glaze is a comforting, easy dinner that features a tender, juicy meatloaf topped with a sticky-sweet caramelized glaze. Perfect for family dinners, it comes together with simple ingredients and delivers incredible flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tablespoons dried)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your loaf pan on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. In your large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them sit for about 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs have absorbed most of the liquid, creating a panade that looks like thick oatmeal.
  3. While the breadcrumbs are soaking, finely dice your onion and mince your garlic.
  4. Add the ground beef, beaten eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using) to the bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs. Using clean hands, gently mix everything together until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Transfer the mixture to your prepared loaf pan. Press it gently into the pan, making sure there are no air pockets. Shape the top into a slight dome.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  7. Spread about half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Reserve the remaining glaze for later.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing about 20 minutes in.
  9. After 45 minutes, carefully remove the meatloaf from the oven. Spread the remaining glaze over the top. Return it to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes.
  10. The meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) in the center. Insert your meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meatloaf.
  11. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.
  12. After resting, carefully transfer the meatloaf to a cutting board. Slice into 1-inch thick pieces using a sharp knife.

Notes

Don’t overwork the meat to avoid a dense loaf. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Let the glaze caramelize properly; if it gets too dark, tent with foil. Test seasoning by frying a small patty before baking. For larger batches, use two pans instead of one.

Nutrition

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

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