Baked Beef Loaf with Tomato Glaze
A savory beef loaf with a sweet-tangy tomato glaze, baked to golden perfection and served with classic mashed potatoes. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 85 minutes pairs ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix with hands until well combined.
- Step 2: Press the mixture into a loaf pan. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard.
- Step 3: Spread half the tomato glaze over the top of the loaf. Bake for 45 minutes, then spread the remaining glaze on top and bake for 15 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Step 4: Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing to serve with mashed potatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Beef Loaf with Tomato Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (25 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Beef Loaf with Tomato Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Beef Loaf with Tomato Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Beef Loaf with Tomato Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Beef Loaf with Tomato Glaze?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
