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Kid-Approved Classic Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

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This tender, juicy meatloaf with a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze is a family-friendly dinner that even picky eaters love. It’s simple, affordable, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup ketchup, divided (¼ cup for meatloaf, ¼ cup for glaze)
  • ½ cup finely grated onion (about half a medium onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. Grate the onion using a box grater; you should have about ½ cup including juices. Do not drain.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon onion powder. Set aside ¼ cup of this mixture for the meatloaf; reserve the rest for topping.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, ¼ cup of the reserved glaze mixture, grated onion with juices, minced garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, and thyme. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing down evenly to remove air pockets. Smooth the top.
  6. Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and brush or pour the remaining glaze over the top, spreading evenly.
  8. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). The glaze should be bubbly and caramelized.
  9. Let the meatloaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Drain off excess fat before slicing.
  10. Slice into 1-inch thick slices and serve warm.

Notes

Use 80/20 ground beef for moisture. Grated onion is key for tenderness. Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. For turkey version, use 93/7 ground turkey and add 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, kid-friendly, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/kid-approved-classic-meatloaf-with-brown-sugar-glaze/