Smith's Classic Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion Glaze
A hearty, family-style meatloaf with a sweet-tangy glaze made from slow-simmered onions, perfect for weeknight dinners. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 85 minutes pairs ground beef, breadcrumbs, medium, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 345 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
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 medium finely diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 3: Transfer mixture to prepared pan, press evenly, and create a shallow well in the center. Bake for 50 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Step 4: While meatloaf bakes, simmer 1/2 cup of the reserved onion pieces with 2 tbsp honey in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for 15 minutes until deeply caramelized and syrupy.
- Step 5: After baking, brush caramelized onion glaze over the top of the meatloaf and return to oven for 10 minutes to set.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Classic Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion 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 Smith's Classic Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion 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 Smith's Classic Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion 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 Smith's Classic Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion 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 Smith's Classic Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
