Juicy, Tender Meatloaf

My boys had a blast trotting through our kid-swarmed neighborhood this Halloween.  Two decked out Twins players and one little lion.  Plus friends in tow.  Each year, their pace gets harder for us to keep up with.  They brought home way too many treats, plus some loot for Mommy (chocolate.)

My plan to share a sweet treat this week was sadly derailed by technical difficulties. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing, given the sugar overload some of us – ahem –  are experiencing today.  One more piece of chocolate could send me spiraling towards Guys, I don’t feel so good

Savory, tangy, and sweet…the sauce is reminiscent of a simple BBQ sauce.  Draped over the most tender, succulent meatloaf that has ever emerged from the oven.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 TB olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 3 TB Worcestershire sauce
• 2 TB packed brown sugar
• 2 TB stone ground (coarse) mustard
• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup dried bread crumbs
• 2 lbs ground beef

DESCRIPTION

This is the most succulent, juicy, tender meatloaf. Bold flavors, never dry, and always comforting. The sauce is fantastic. Serve with your favorite potatoes.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on middle position. Place large pan of water on lower rack underneath.
2. In a large heavy saucepan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add a pinch of kosher salt, pinch of pepper, and the thyme. Saute 30 seconds more, and transfer to large bowl.
3. Add 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, beef broth, and bread crumbs. Whisk by hand to combine ingredients. Add ground beef and stir with wooden spoon until fully combined.
4. Form beef mixture into a loaf (roughly 2x5x8) in a larger baking dish.
5. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, coarse mustard, and ketchup. Pour half of this sauce over the meatloaf.
6. Bake about 50 minutes. Brush on more sauce, reserving a little for serving, if desired. Bake 10 more minutes or until meatloaf is cooked through.
7. Let meatloaf sit at room temp about 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve, and drizzle with any leftover sauce.