Glazed All Beef Meat Loaf Cook's Illustrated

Elevate your comfort food game with this Glazed All Beef Meat Loaf, inspired by Cook's Illustrated. This mouthwatering recipe combines tender 85% lean ground beef with the bold flavors of sautéed onions, garlic, and aromatic thyme, complemented by the richness of Parmesan cheese and a moist breadcrumb-milk mixture. What sets this meatloaf apart is the tangy-sweet glaze, made from a perfect trio of ketchup, brown sugar, and cider vinegar, creating a caramelized topping that’s simply irresistible. Gently formed and carefully baked to achieve a juicy, fork-tender texture, this classic dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Ready in just under two hours and serving up to six, this meatloaf guarantees a hearty, flavor-packed meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:75 mins

Total Time:100 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Ground beef (85% lean)
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 1.25 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 cup Plain breadcrumbs
• 0.75 cup Whole milk
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 cup Ketchup (for glaze)
• 3 tablespoons Brown sugar (for glaze)
• 1.5 teaspoons Cider vinegar (for glaze)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.

Step 2

In a small skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked onions and garlic, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, and Parmesan cheese. Mix gently with your hands until everything is evenly combined, but do not overwork the mixture.

Step 4

Shape the meat mixture into a loaf approximately 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches high. Place it on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and cider vinegar to make the glaze.

Step 6

Brush about half of the glaze evenly over the top and sides of the meatloaf.

Step 7

Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze.

Step 8

Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue baking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), about 30 more minutes.

Step 9

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your savory and flavorful glazed meatloaf!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1655.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3089.9

Total Fat 183.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 73.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.6g
Cholesterol 1044.1mg	0%
Sodium 6420.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 178.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.3g	0%
Total Sugars 84.2g
Protein 206.6g	0%

Vitamin D 218.7IU	0%
Calcium 1113.2mg	0%
Iron 26.7mg	0%
Potassium 3453.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.8%

Protein: 25.9%

Carbs: 22.3%