Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

This Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze takes the traditional comfort-food favorite to the next level. The glaze is perfectly balanced—sweet from brown sugar, tangy from ketchup, and deeply savory once caramelized in the oven. Moist, tender, and bursting with flavor, this recipe is ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or high-performing food blog content.

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⭐ Why This Recipe Stands Out

• Caramelized brown sugar–ketchup glaze creates irresistible flavor

• Juicy interior thanks to milk-soaked breadcrumbs and eggs

• Simple pantry ingredients readers already have

• Perfect balance of sweet and savory—a proven crowd favorite

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🧾 Ingredients

Meatloaf Base

• 1½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)

• 1 cup breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz-style crackers

• ½ cup milk

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but recommended)

Brown Sugar Ketchup Glaze

• ¾ cup ketchup

• ⅓ cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1 tbsp yellow mustard (optional, for tang)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment.

2. Soften breadcrumbs by mixing them with milk in a small bowl; set aside for 1–2 minutes.

3. Combine meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, add ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix gently just until combined.

4. Shape the loaf and place it in the pan or on the baking sheet.

5. Make the glaze by whisking ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread half evenly over the loaf.

6. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Remove, spread remaining glaze on top, then return to oven.

7. Finish baking for 15–20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

8. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.

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🔥 Expert Tips for Perfect Meatloaf

• Use 80/20 ground beef for moisture and flavor

• Do not overmix—this keeps the loaf tender

• Rest before slicing for clean, juicy cuts

• For extra richness, add 1 tbsp melted butter to the meat mixture

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🍽️ Serving Ideas

Pair this sweet-and-savory meatloaf with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic mashed cauliflower

• Buttered green beans or roasted broccoli

• Cornbread or soft dinner rolls

• Leftovers make exceptional meatloaf sandwiches

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🥩 Popular Variations

• Turkey Brown Sugar Meatloaf: Use ground turkey and add olive oil for moisture

• BBQ-Style: Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce

• Cheesy Version: Add shredded cheddar or Colby Jack

• Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or hot sauce to the glaze

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❤️ Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze is a comfort-food classic with mass appeal—sweet, savory, and oven-caramelized to perfection. It’s the kind of recipe readers save, share, and come back to again and again.

OTHER RECIPES

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup ketchup 
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 
• 1 1/2 cups croutons, crushed 
• 1 small onion, chopped 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/4 cup milk 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 

Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Stir ketchup, brown sugar, salt, and chili powder together in a bowl until smooth. 

Spread a small amount of the ketchup mixture into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan.
Mix ground beef, croutons, onion, eggs, milk, and black pepper together in a large bowl; shape into a loaf and put into prepared pan. 

Spread remaining ketchup mixture over the loaf.
Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour. 

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).Enjoy it!

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