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A photo of a golden-brown loaf of meatloaf with a caramelized brown sugar glaze on a rustic wooden cutting board. The meatloaf has a moist and tender interior flecked with onions and herbs. Fresh parsley is scattered over the top for a pop of color. On the side, there is a plate of buttery mashed potatoes and roasted green beans. The whole setup radiates the warmth of a classic family dinner. The title text overlay says "Classic Diner Style Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze" in a soft feminine country font.

Classic Diner Style Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

Juicy meatloaf topped with a sweet, tangy glaze—this is the ultimate nostalgic family dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf:

  • 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend for best flavor
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Brown Sugar Glaze:

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

Prepare the Meatloaf:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix gently until just combined (don’t overwork the meat).
  • Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared loaf pan or on the baking sheet.

Make the Glaze:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  • Brush half of the glaze evenly over the meatloaf. Reserve the remaining glaze for later.

Bake:

  • Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes, then remove it from the oven and brush on the remaining glaze.
  • Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Keyword Classic Meatloaf Recipe, Easy Meatloaf, Homemade Meatloaf