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Cozy No-Fail Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze Easy Dinner Idea

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This cozy no-fail meatloaf with brown sugar glaze is the ultimate comfort food—tender, juicy, and topped with a sweet, caramelized glaze that makes every bite unforgettable. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a hug in food form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lbs (680g) ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • ½ medium yellow onion, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) milk
  • 1 cup (about 16 crackers) saltine crackers, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) ketchup
  • ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
  2. Grate half a medium yellow onion using a box grater. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Transfer the grated onion to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the ground beef, crushed saltines, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried thyme to the bowl with the onion. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press gently into an even shape, filling the pan about three-quarters full.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, packed brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
  6. Spread about half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon. Reserve the remaining glaze.
  7. Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.
  8. After 45 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift it out, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into thick pieces.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid a dense texture. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. For extra flavor, toast the crushed saltines in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding. The meatloaf can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated; add glaze just before baking and increase cooking time by 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/cozy-no-fail-meatloaf-with-brown-sugar-glaze-easy-dinner-idea/