Meet your new favorite comfort food: Maple Glazed Meatloaf. This dish combines the classic heartiness of meatloaf with a sweet and tangy glaze that will make your taste buds dance. Perfect for cozy dinners!
Let's break down what you'll need. First up, the star of the show, ground beef. This is your base, providing that hearty, meaty texture we all crave in a meatloaf. Next, breadcrumbs help bind all the ingredients together and keep the loaf from becoming too dense. A touch of milk adds moisture, ensuring your meatloaf stays juicy.
The flavor foundation starts with onion and garlic, both minced to seamlessly blend into the mix, offering subtle depth without overpowering the dish. Salt and black pepper are your basic seasoning essentials, enhancing the natural flavors of the beef.
For the glaze, we have a harmonious trio: maple syrup for sweetness, ketchup for tang, and Dijon mustard for a slight kick. Finally, a large egg helps bind everything together, ensuring your meatloaf holds its shape.
This Maple Glazed Meatloaf pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. For a lighter option, serve it alongside a fresh green salad with a zesty vinaigrette. Leftovers make fantastic sandwiches; just slice and add to your favorite bread with a leaf of lettuce or a slice of cheese.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures that once your meatloaf is ready to bake, the oven is at the perfect temperature. Next, grab a mixing bowl and combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and milk. Use your hands to mix everything together. You want the ingredients to be well combined but be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaf tough.
Once mixed, shape your meat mixture into a loaf form and place it in a greased baking dish. This keeps the meatloaf from sticking and makes it easier to clean up later. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Pour this glaze over your meatloaf, making sure it's covered evenly.
Pop the meatloaf in the oven and bake it for about an hour. To keep it moist and flavorful, baste occasionally with the glaze from the pan. You'll know it's done when it's cooked through. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making each slice juicy and flavorful.