Tender ground beef loaf with seasoned breadcrumbs, aromatic vegetables, and a sweet-tangy ketchup glaze. Easy 80-minute meal serving six.
# What you'll need:
→ Meat
01 - 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Binders & Fillers
04 - ¾ cup breadcrumbs
05 - ⅔ cup whole milk
06 - 2 large eggs
→ Flavorings & Seasoning
07 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 ½ tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
→ Glaze
12 - ½ cup ketchup
13 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
14 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let soak for 5 minutes to soften.
03 - In a large bowl, mix ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika until just combined. Do not overmix to maintain tender texture.
04 - Shape the mixture into a loaf approximately 8 x 4 inches and place on the prepared baking sheet or in the loaf pan.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
06 - Spread half of the glaze evenly over the top and sides of the meatloaf.
07 - Bake for 45 minutes to develop base flavor and set the structure.
08 - Spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf and return to the oven. Bake for another 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
09 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute and ensure clean slices.
