Description
A juicy, flavorful meatloaf made with 80/20 ground beef, milk-soaked breadcrumbs, and a sweet-tangy brown sugar ketchup glaze. This easy one-bowl recipe ensures a tender texture and caramelized crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup (100g) plain dried breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 150g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1/2 cup (120g) ketchup
- 1/4 cup (50g) packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1–2 dashes hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 5-6 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic in the last minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine milk and breadcrumbs. Let sit for 1 minute to soak.
- Add ground beef, egg, sautéed onion/garlic mixture, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
- Mix gently with hands or a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing down firmly but gently. Smooth the top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and hot sauce.
- Brush half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
- Place loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, brush remaining glaze over the top, and return to oven.
- Bake for another 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid a tough texture. Sautéing the onions beforehand prevents sharpness and improves texture. Letting the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes is crucial to retain juices. You can freeze the uncooked loaf for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1 i
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: meatloaf, beef meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, ground beef recipes