Description
A juicy, flavorful meatloaf made with ground beef, oats, and a sweet-and-salty brown sugar ketchup glaze. This easy, comfort-food recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne (if using) to make the glaze. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, oats, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a 9×5 inch loaf pan, pressing down firmly to remove air pockets. Smooth the top.
- Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and brush half of the glaze over the top. Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Brush with the remaining glaze and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- If the top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid a dense texture. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to retain juices. For a gluten-free version, use certified GF oats. For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with beef broth or water. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: meatloaf, ground beef recipe, brown sugar ketchup glaze, easy dinner, meal prep, comfort food, family dinner