Brown Sugar Meatloaf

This brown sugar glazed meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food classic with a sweet and savory twist that makes it completely irresistible.

The rich blend of seasoned ground beef is perfectly balanced with a tender, juicy texture, while the signature brown sugar and ketchup glaze caramelizes as it bakes, creating a sticky, flavorful crust that seals in all the goodness.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or a hearty family meal, this easy meatloaf recipe comes together with simple pantry staples and delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Each slice is packed with homestyle goodness and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, green beans, or your favorite comfort sides.

Once you try it, this version might just become your go-to meatloaf recipe.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup finely crushed saltine cracker crumbs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 5×9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
  2. Evenly press the brown sugar into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Spread the ketchup over the sugar to create a sweet glaze layer.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, chopped onion, milk, crushed cracker crumbs, salt, black pepper, and ground ginger. Mix until fully incorporated, but avoid overmixing.
  4. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and carefully place it on top of the ketchup and brown sugar layer.
  5. Bake for about 1 hour, or until the meatloaf is cooked through and the juices run clear.
  6. Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy the caramelized glaze on every bite.

Chefs Notes

  • For extra moisture, avoid overmixing the meat mixture—this keeps the texture tender.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or a beef/pork blend for a different flavor profile.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, reserve a little ketchup to brush on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
  • Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing helps it hold its shape better.
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