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Cozy Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe with Hidden Veggies Easy and Delicious

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A comforting and delicious meatloaf featuring a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze and hidden vegetables like zucchini, carrot, and spinach for added nutrition without compromising flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680 g) ground beef (80/20 for juiciness; can swap for ground turkey)
  • 1 cup (100 g) finely grated zucchini (squeezed to remove excess moisture)
  • ½ cup (50 g) finely grated carrot
  • ½ cup (40 g) fresh spinach, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (90 g) fresh breadcrumbs or panko
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk (whole, 2%, or dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Finely grate zucchini and carrot. Squeeze out excess moisture from zucchini using a clean kitchen towel. Finely chop spinach and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated zucchini, grated carrot, chopped spinach, diced onion, and minced garlic.
  4. Add fresh breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning if using.
  5. Gently mix ingredients with hands or spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Shape mixture into a loaf in the prepared pan or on the baking sheet, pressing gently to smooth the top.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and vinegar until smooth.
  8. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  9. Bake for 55-60 minutes. If glaze browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil after 40 minutes.
  10. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 160°F (71°C).
  11. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Squeeze out excess moisture from zucchini to prevent sogginess. Use fresh breadcrumbs for better moisture absorption. Avoid overmixing to keep meatloaf tender. Tent with foil if glaze browns too fast. Let meatloaf rest before slicing for juicier results. Can prepare glaze and grate veggies ahead of time and keep chilled. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko and add an extra egg if needed. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, hidden vegetables, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, ground beef, healthy meatloaf

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/cozy-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-recipe-with-hidden-veggies-easy-and-delicious/