Tomato-Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory, moist meatloaf with a sweet-tangy glaze, featuring fresh vegetables and oats for perfect texture. This American-inspired beef recipe (gluten free), ready in about 80 minutes, pairs ground beef, rolled oats, celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 55 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup finely chopped celery, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 1 egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix with hands until fully incorporated.
  2. Step 2: Press the mixture into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon ketchup and 1 teaspoon brown sugar for the glaze, then brush evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  3. Step 3: Bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, then remove from oven. Mix 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Return to oven for 5 minutes to crisp the topping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tomato-Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (25 min prep + 55 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 Tomato-Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf?

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 Tomato-Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf?

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 Tomato-Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf 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.

Is Tomato-Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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