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Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Filling

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A comforting and flavorful meatloaf featuring a sweet brown sugar glaze and a savory caramelized onion and mushroom filling. This recipe transforms classic meatloaf into a juicy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20)
  • ½ pound ground pork
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for filling)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (for filling)
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn golden and soft, about 25 minutes.
  2. Add Mushrooms & Thyme: Stir in the chopped mushrooms and thyme. Increase heat to medium and cook until mushrooms release moisture and it evaporates, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Mix Meatloaf Base: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined.
  4. Assemble the Loaf: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a baking sheet or in a 9×5 inch loaf pan, shape half of the meat mixture into a rectangle. Spread the cooled caramelized onion & mushroom filling evenly over this layer, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with remaining meat mixture and seal edges.
  5. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
  6. Glaze & Bake: Spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for 45 minutes, then brush with remaining glaze. Continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F (71°C). Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  7. Rest & Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Patience is key when caramelizing onions—cook low and slow for best flavor. Avoid overmixing meat to keep meatloaf tender. Rest meatloaf after baking for juicier slices. Apply glaze in two rounds to prevent burning. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, use coconut milk instead of whole milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, caramelized onion, mushroom filling, comfort food, easy dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-recipe-easy-comforting-caramelized-onion-filling/