This simple meatloaf recipe with a brown sugar glaze is classic comfort food. Ideal for family meals and leftover sandwiches.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr20 minutesmins
Servings: 8servings
Calories: 399kcal
Author: Lucy
Ingredients
2tablespoonsolive oil
1cuponion, finely chopped
½cupgreen pepper, finely chopped
1poundground chuck
1poundlean ground beef
2largeeggs
1cupbread crumbs
1tablespoonWorcestershire sauce
½cupketchup
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonpepper
Brown Sugar Meatloaf Glaze:
½cupketchup
3tablespoonbrown sugar
2teaspoonyellow mustard
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil then lightly spray the foil.
Add olive oil to a skillet and heat on medium-high. Saute onion and green pepper until softened and set aside. (This step is optional. You can mix in the raw onion and pepper and it will be fine, just a little crunchy after the meatloaf is baked.)
Mix meats and other ingredients (except for the sauce ingredients) gently in a large bowl. Form into a loaf shape on the baking sheet.
Place meatloaf in oven. While meatloaf is baking, mix the glaze ingredients. Bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes, then remove from oven and spread meatloaf glaze on top and sides of the meatloaf.
Bake for another 15 minutes and then remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
Notes
Freezing Pre-baked Meatloaf:
Do not freeze if the meat you are using was previously frozen.
Prepare as directed up to the point of baking, then wrap the raw loaf tightly in plastic wrap, topped with a couple of layers of foil. Place in a large zipper freezer bag.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake the next day as directed.
Freeze Baked or Leftover Meatloaf:
Bake as directed but without the meatloaf glaze and allow to cool completely. (If you're freezing leftover meatloaf, don't worry about the glaze that's already on the meat, just know that most of it will come off on the foil and you'll need to make more when you reheat.)
To freeze the whole meatloaf, wrap tightly in a couple of layers of aluminum foil and then either place in a large freezer bag or use a vacuum sealer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat with the brown sugar meatloaf glaze.
To freeze individual portions, slice the meatloaf and select however many slices you want as a portion size, then wrap those in aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat with the brown sugar meatloaf glaze.
More Tips:
If you're in a hurry, buy the already chopped onions and green peppers from the grocery store.
Sauté the vegetables first if you want them completely tender.
Handle the meatloaf mixture gently so it doesn't become tough and rubbery.
Watch your cooking time and don't overcook!
Be sure you allow your meatloaf to rest about 10 minutes after baking.