Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

Recipe View Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, salt, and chili powder until smooth and well combined. This creates the flavorful glaze. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Spread a thin layer of the ketchup mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. This adds a touch of sweetness and prevents sticking. (2 minutes)

Recipe View In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, crushed croutons, chopped onion, eggs, milk, and black pepper. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender. (8 minutes)

Recipe View Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and carefully place it into the prepared pan. Spread the remaining ketchup mixture evenly over the top of the loaf, ensuring it's fully coated. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven until the meatloaf is no longer pink in the center and the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). This usually takes about 1 hour. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center to check for doneness. (60 minutes)

Recipe View Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf. (10 minutes)