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Easy Kid-Approved Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe

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A happy accident turned into a family favorite: this brown sugar glazed meatloaf features a caramelized, sticky-sweet crust that kids love and a tender, juicy interior. Perfect for busy weeknights, it comes together with simple pantry ingredients and makes the best leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Sauté onion and garlic: In a small skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of oil and cook diced onion until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Let cool slightly.
  4. Combine meatloaf ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and the sautéed onion and garlic. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—do not overwork.
  5. Shape the loaf: Transfer mixture to prepared loaf pan or shape into a free-form loaf on the baking sheet.
  6. Apply half the glaze: Pour about half of the glaze over the top and spread evenly, letting some drip down the sides if using a free-form loaf. Reserve remaining glaze.
  7. Bake for 40 minutes: Place meatloaf in oven and bake for 40 minutes until glaze starts to caramelize.
  8. Apply remaining glaze: After 40 minutes, carefully remove meatloaf and spread the rest of the glaze over the top. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Rest before slicing: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes, tented loosely with aluminum foil.
  10. Slice and serve: Use a sharp knife to cut even slices. Spoon any extra glaze from the pan over the top.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid a dense texture. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness (160°F). Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep it moist. The glaze can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge. For extra glaze, double the glaze ingredients.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/easy-kid-approved-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-recipe/