This brown sugar meatloaf adds a tasty, sweet twist to classic meatloaf. A seasoned blend of beef and turkey with crushed Cheez-Its is placed over a bed of brown sugar packed into the bottom of a loaf pan. Then, it’s baked to perfection and topped with a BBQ sauce glaze. It’s a meaty, sweet, and savory dinner that always has everyone asking for seconds.
Meatloaf is a classic dish. I’ve made it more times than I can count. Over the years, I’ve made everything from traditional meatloaf to spicy meatloaf, BBQ meatloaf, and even meatloaf sliders.
A relatively new addition to my lineup is this brown sugar meatloaf. I do it a bit differently than some recipes, though. Rather than mix it into the meat or make it part of the glaze, I pack it down into the bottom of the pan. As the meatloaf bakes, the brown sugar caramelizes on the bottom, creating a sweet pop of flavor in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Meatloaf Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: All you need is a few simple ingredients found in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.
- Easy to Make: This entire recipe is just a matter of mixing and baking.
- Tons of Flavor: Cheez-Its in the meat mixture, brown sugar in the bottom of the pan, and a BBQ glaze make this meatloaf explode with flavor.
- The Perfect Dinner: This recipe is easy and delicious, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef and Turkey: A mix of ground beef and turkey creates a moist meatloaf with less grease.
- Cheez-Its: Crushed Cheez-Its replace crackers for an extra flavorful binding agent.
- Ketchup and BBQ Sauce: A mix of ketchup and BBQ sauces adds moisture and flavor to the meatloaf. It’s also the delicious glaze I add to the top!
- Seasonings: Slap Ya Mama, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika add a bold kick.
- Brown Sugar: A bed of brown sugar adds a blast of sweet flavor to the meatloaf.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Flavor Variations
- Ground Meat: You can use all beef or all turkey if you prefer. You can also try mixes like beef and pork, beef and chorizo, or even beef and Italian sausage to change up the flavor.
- Cheez-Its: Any kind of crackers will work in meatloaf. Experiment with different kinds of cracker flavors to change up the taste.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite variety or brand of BBQ sauce.
- Spicy: Try adding red pepper flakes or cayenne to the BBQ sauce mix, or mix diced jalapenos into the meatloaf itself.
How to Make Meatloaf with Brown Sugar
1: Combine all the meatloaf ingredients except for the brown sugar and the topping ingredients, mixing until well combined. Form the mixture into a rough loaf shape.
2: Pack the brown sugar into the bottom of a 7×11 baking dish, then place the meatloaf on top of it.
3: Combine the BBQ and ketchup for the topping and spread it over the meatloaf.
4: Tent the dish with foil and bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
5: Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes. Then, slice, drizzle with pan drippings for more flavor, and serve.
Hint
Be sure to pack the brown sugar firmly into the bottom of the dish so it caramelizes as it bakes.
Storage
Refrigerate the meatloaf for up to 3 days in an airtight, freezer-safe container. For longer storage, wrap the meatloaf in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil, then freeze it for up to 2 months. Freeze the drippings in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, as well.
To reheat the meatloaf, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator if it’s frozen. Then, place it in a baking dish, cover, and bake at 325 until heated through.
What to Serve with This Meatloaf Recipe with Brown Sugar
Meatloaf is a classic comfort food staple the whole family loves, so pair it with other classic sides to make a hearty meal that’s nothing but pure comfort food. I like to serve mine with mashed potatoes, bacon green beans, corn casserole, or other similar hearty sides.
For dessert, I like to serve classics like Reese’s peanut butter cookies, chocolate cream pie, or cinnamon roll monkey bread.
Tips
- For easy mixing, use your hands. Just wash them thoroughly first.
- Mix your meatloaf ingredients until fully combined, but don’t overwork them.
- To easily crush your Cheez-Its, just give them a quick pulse or two in your food processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using some form of dry binders like breadcrumbs or crackers helps keep the meatloaf moist. In addition to binding the meat together, the bread-based binder absorbs the liquid added to the meatloaf and the fat released while it bakes, locking it into the loaf and keeping it juicy.
The only real way to know for sure is to check it with a meat thermometer. This ensures that the meatloaf isn’t raw or overcooked and dry. When the thermometer reads 165 degrees after being inserted into the center of the loaf, it’s done!
Turkey meatloaf can be dry because it has less fat the other ground meats. However, adding more moisture or combing it with ground beef can help keep your meatloaf moist and juicy.
Try This Brown Sugar Meatloaf Today
This brown sugar meatloaf is super moist, loaded with sweet and savory flavor, and so easy to make. That’s a combination you just can’t beat! If you’ve been looking for a new meatloaf recipe, this is the one for you! Give it a try, and I guarantee you’ll make it a permanent part of your dinner rotation.
More Delicious Meatloaf Recipes You’ll Enjoy
If you try this recipe and love it, please be sure to leave a 5 ★★★★★ rating below and leave a comment! You can also pin it you to favorite Pinterest boards and save it for later.
Also, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Remember to “like” or “follow” us on all social media.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup Cheez-It, crushed
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1½ cups packed brown sugar
Topping
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Meatloaf
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except the brown sugar and the topping ingredients.
- Shape into a loaf.
- Pack brown sugar in the bottom of a 7×11 baking dish.
- Place the meatloaf on the brown sugar.
Topping
- In a small bowl, stir barbecue sauce and ketchup together. Spread over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cover and tent aluminum foil over the meatloaf.
- Bake for 45 minutes, remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until internal temperature is 165.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with pan drippings for added flavor.
Notes
- For easy mixing, use your hands. Just wash them thoroughly first.
- Mix your meatloaf ingredients until fully combined, but don’t overwork them.
- To easily crush your Cheez-Its, just give them a quick pulse or two in your food processor.
Nutrition
