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Classic Meatloaf: Best Easy 30-Minute Recipe

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A comforting, easy-to-make meatloaf with a sweet and tangy brown sugar ketchup glaze. This recipe uses simple ingredients and takes under 30 minutes to prep, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) Ground Beef (80/20 blend)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Milk
  • 1 cup (100g) Breadcrumbs
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup (120g) Ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and garlic powder. Set aside.
  3. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until soft (3-4 minutes), add minced garlic for the last 30 seconds, then remove from heat.
  4. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, cooked onion/garlic mix, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined.
  5. Stir half of the ketchup glaze mixture into the meat base.
  6. Transfer meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing firmly to remove air pockets and smoothing the top.
  7. Bake for 40 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and spoon the remaining glaze over the top. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the glaze is caramelized.
  9. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 160°F (71°C).
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid a dense texture. Resting the meatloaf for 15 minutes is crucial to retain juices. If using leaner beef (90/10), add a tablespoon of oil or butter to the mix. The glaze should be added halfway through baking to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, easy dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, ground beef recipe, brown sugar glaze, family friendly

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/classic-meatloaf-best-easy-30-minute-recipe/