🍖 Brown Sugar Meatloaf

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Meatloaf

• 1 ½ lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• ½ cup milk

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning

Topping

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed

• ¼ cup ketchup

• 1 tsp mustard (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.

2️⃣ Make the Meatloaf

1. In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk; let sit 2–3 minutes.

2. Add ground meat, chopped onion, garlic, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and herbs.

3. Mix gently until just combined — don’t overmix.

3️⃣ Shape & Add Topping

1. Shape meat mixture into a loaf and place in the prepared pan.

2. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard (if using).

3. Spread topping evenly over the top of the meatloaf.

4️⃣ Bake

• Bake 55–65 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

• Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to caramelize the brown sugar topping.

5️⃣ Rest & Serve

• Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing — this helps it hold together.

• Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.

✨ Tips & Variations

• Cheesy twist: Mix shredded cheddar or mozzarella into the meat mixture.

• Extra flavor: Add finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or carrots to the meat.

• Glaze variation: Swap ketchup with barbecue sauce for a smoky flavor.

If you want, I can also provide a quick 30-minute brown sugar meatloaf skillet version that’s smaller, faster, and just as flavorful.