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Tender Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe Easy Homemade Fall-Apart Meatloaf

tender brown sugar glazed meatloaf - featured image

This tender brown sugar glazed meatloaf features a sweet-savory caramelized crust and a juicy, fall-apart texture inside. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (small-curd)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup breadcrumbs (fresh or panko)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Prepare the glaze by combining brown sugar, ketchup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cottage cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  4. Shape the mixture into a loaf about 9×5 inches and 3 inches tall in a loaf pan or on a rimmed baking sheet.
  5. Brush the top of the meatloaf generously with the brown sugar glaze.
  6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, brushing a second layer of glaze halfway through baking (around 30 minutes). The meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  8. Slice gently and serve with your favorite sides.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the texture tender. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Brush the glaze twice during baking for a sticky, caramelized crust. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy and intact. Tent with foil if edges brown too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, comfort food, easy dinner, tender meatloaf, homemade meatloaf, fall-apart meatloaf