Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf with Sweet Tangy Sauce

Name: Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf with Sweet Tangy Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds ground beef; 0.5 cup onion, chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 eggs; 0.5 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs; 1 ounce package onion soup mix; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 dashes hot sauce; 0.5 cup ketchup; 0.33 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; hot sauce, to taste

A classic comfort food meatloaf made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and savory seasonings, topped with a glossy brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. The sweet and tangy sauce combines ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard for a perfect balance of flavors that complements the hearty meat base. This family-friendly dinner is ideal for weeknight meals or Sunday suppers, offering the nostalgic appeal of traditional meatloaf with an irresistible sweet finish that both kids and adults will love.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 1 hr
Yield: 6 servings
Level: medium
Cuisine: American

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Dairy-Free Nut-Free

Ingredients

6 servings

1 ½ pounds ground beef
ground turkey1:1health
Use 85/15 for best texture
Full guide →
½ cup onion, chopped
homemade blend1 packet = 2 tbsp onion powder + 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp saltpantry
Control sodium content
Full guide →
1 clove garlic, minced
2 eggs
½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 ounce package onion soup mix
homemade blend1 packet = 2 tbsp onion powder + 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp saltpantry
Control sodium content
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes hot sauce(optional)
½ cup ketchup
⅓ cup brown sugar
maple syrup1:1natural
Reduce other liquids slightly
Full guide →
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
hot sauce, to taste(optional)

Method

8 steps

1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2
Combine ground beef, chopped onion, onion soup mix, minced garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire, and hot sauce in a large bowl
3
Mix ingredients to combine but don't overwork the mixture
4
Stir together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard and hot sauce in a small bowl to make the sauce
5
Mold the meatloaf mixture into a loaf and place in a loaf pan or baking dish
6
Brush the sauce on top of the meatloaf
7
Bake for 1 hour
8
Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing

Tips

Tip 1

Don't overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender and avoid a dense texture.

Tip 2

Let the meatloaf rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute for easier slicing.

Tip 3

Reserve some glaze to brush on halfway through baking for extra caramelization.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in airtight container

Make Ahead

Can be assembled and refrigerated up to 1 day before baking

Serve With

Slice and serve warm with mashed potatoes and green vegetables

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't overmix the meat to avoid tough, dense meatloaf

Watch

Don't skip resting time to prevent juices from running out when sliced

Substitutions

Italian breadcrumbs→

plain breadcrumbs + Italian seasoning1:1 + 1 tsppantryadds gluten

Mix your own blend

ground beef→

ground turkey1:1health

Use 85/15 for best texture

Full guide →

onion soup mix→

homemade blend1 packet = 2 tbsp onion powder + 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp saltpantry

Control sodium content

brown sugar→

maple syrup1:1natural

Reduce other liquids slightly

Full guide →

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I freeze this meatloaf?

Yes, wrap cooled cooked meatloaf tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

What if I don't have a loaf pan?

Shape the meatloaf freeform on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The cooking time may be slightly less.

How do I know when it's fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that internal temperature reaches 160°F in the center of the loaf.