Description
A tender, juicy meatloaf that stays moist thanks to a milk-soaked bread base and a sweet, aromatic brown sugar glaze. This forgiving recipe is perfect for self-care dinners when you need comfort without the stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 3 slices white sandwich bread (approx 100g)
- 1/3 cup (80ml) whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium yellow onion (approx 150g), finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic (1 tbsp minced)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter (for sautéing)
- 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Dijon or yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup (60g) ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Tear bread into chunks and pulse in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Place crumbs in a bowl, pour milk over them, and let sit for 5 minutes until a thick paste forms.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion with a pinch of salt for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, milk-soaked bread mixture, sautéed onion and garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands just until combined; do not overmix.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing down gently to remove air pockets. Smooth the top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard to create the glaze.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, spread half of the glaze over the top, and return to oven for another 15-20 minutes.
- Meatloaf is done when internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let the meatloaf rest in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid a tough texture. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) without drying out the loaf. Resting for 10 minutes is crucial for clean slicing. Leftovers can be eaten cold or reheated in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, comfort food, self-care dinner, easy dinner, juicy meatloaf, ground beef recipe