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Never-Dry Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe Easy Cozy Dinner with Mushrooms and Onions

brown sugar glazed meatloaf - featured image

A juicy, flavorful meatloaf glazed with a sweet brown sugar topping and filled with sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions for a cozy, comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup (70 grams) cremini or button mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup (90 grams) plain, unseasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add the chopped mushrooms and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and everything is golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, and milk. Crack in the egg.
  5. Season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Mix gently but thoroughly, avoiding overmixing.
  6. Fold in the sautéed mushrooms and onions until evenly distributed.
  7. Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan, pressing lightly to even out the top.
  8. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until smooth.
  9. Spread the glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon.
  10. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F (71°C). The glaze should be bubbly and slightly caramelized.
  11. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid a dense meatloaf. Sauté mushrooms and onions first to add moisture and flavor. Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for juiciness. Tent with foil if glaze browns too quickly. Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, use almond or oat milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, mushrooms, caramelized onions, easy dinner, comfort food, juicy meatloaf, cozy dinner