This brown sugar meatloaf is stuffed with chipotle gouda and a topped with a slightly spicy, smoky glaze. This is meatloaf like you've never had it, but like you'll wish you always had!
I've always loved meatloaf but really wanted to take it up a notch. It's just as simple as a more traditional version, but the gooey cheese surprise paired with a much more flavorful glaze was a huge success. It's the only way I'll make my meatloaf from now on!
I've also included a few more cheese, glaze and topping ideas that can easily be used in place of this chipotle gouda combination.
We like to serve this with the loaded hasselback potatoes shown in the picture, then add a healthier veggie side like garlic snap peas or sauteed green beans and mushrooms.
How to Make Brown Sugar Meatloaf
(Scroll down to the bottom for the printable brown sugar meatloaf recipe card with exact measurements and recipe instructions.)
- Sauté the carrot, celery and onion for a few minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute or two.
- Add the skillet ingredients to ground beef mix in eggs, panko breadcrumbs, salt and pepper until just combined.
- Shape half the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape, keeping the top very flat.
- Place cheese in a mound on top of meat, then top cheese with remaining meatloaf mixture, forming into one large loaf and sealing completely to prevent cheese from oozing out during cooking.
- Mix together ketchup, brown sugar and adobo sauce. Lightly brush half the glaze topping onto the top and sides of the meatloaf (it makes a thick layer).
- All that's left to do is bake it until it's cooked through and the cheese is melty and oozing out the sides. Meatloaf made with beef should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and 165 degrees Fahrenheit for turkey. The glaze will make it difficult to measure doneness and as always I recommend using digital thermometer to measure doneness.
Cheese Ideas
Any cheese could be used (although the chipotle gouda is insanely good) and, if you don't care for spicy, simply use regular gouda. If you can't find Chipotle Gouda there are many similarly flavored goudas you can use such as spicy smoked gouda and pepper jack would work too. For cheese variations to couple with the toppings above use any semi-hard, easy melting cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, Colby, or Monterey Jack, Muenster, Provolone, or Havarti.
Tips & Variations
- Meat alternatives - I recommend using 80% beef and 20% fat (80/20) but this meatloaf recipe is loaded with flavorful ingredients and will work well with many different types of beef or meat alternatives. A few suggestions include using beef with a higher or lower fat content, pork, ground turkey, ground chicken, bison or a combination. Many grocery stores have meatball and meatloaf mixtures that contain a combination of ground beef, pork and veal. Keep in mind when using a combination of meats that the meatloaf should be cooked to the individual meat with the highest minimum internal temperature. For meat substitutes with a lower fat content consider adding vegetables for added flavor.
- Add Veggies - Sometimes I'm in the mood for the veggies to be diced so I get little chunks of goodness. Other times, I like to run the veggies (in this case, the mirepoix, otherwise known as onions, celery and carrots) through my Vitamix or food processor so they're super fine and blend right into the meat. I still sauté them, it's just more of a cohesive mass more than separately diced veggies. This is a great trick if you sub with turkey because it helps keep the meat juicy and tender.
- Amount of cheese - The recipe calls for 1-2 cups of cheese but go with what your instincts tell you. I have even used a LOT of cheese in this recipe, a full 8 ounces which was a good 3 cups or so. I knew the cheese would leak out a fair amount, especially when I heaped so much on it, but I like to take what's leaked out and spread it over the top. I'm cheese-crazy, what can I say 🙂
- Ritz Crackers - Make a Southern-style meatloaf by replacing the panko breadcrumbs with buttery, crushed ritz crackers.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Chipotle Gouda in the middle and topped with a tangy Adobo glaze. This is meatloaf like you've never had before!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- ½ sweet onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1-2 cups chopped Chipotle Gouda (I used Boar's Head)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Sauté the carrot, celery and onion in a medium skillet for a few minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute or two.
- Add the skillet ingredients to ground beef in a medium-sized bowl. Using your hands, gently mix in eggs, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper until just combined.
- Place half of the meatloaf mixture on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil (this will make cleanup a breeze). The bottom should be relatively flat. Place the cheese in a mound on top of meat, then top with the remaining meatloaf mixture, forming into one large loaf and sealing completely to prevent cheese from oozing out during cooking.
- Mix together ketchup, brown sugar and adobo sauce. Lightly brush ½ of mixture onto top and sides of loaf (it makes a thick layer).
- Bake for 45 minutes, then pour/brush remaining ketchup mixture over loaf. Continue baking another 15 minutes or until meatloaf is completely cooked through. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 633Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 641mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 17gSugar: 34gProtein: 41g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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Alice says
I love all of this plus you got such precise cuts on your potato! Jealous! Mine just always smush all over the place! Also I'm going to have to try your sauce on my favorite meatloaf to see how we like it! looks great!
Kristy Bernardo says
Those are Hasselback Potatoes, Alice, so you slice before cooking - try them, they're sooo good! You'll love the sauce, too!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Meatloaf is my ultimate comfort food meal! I love how smothered and delicious this baby looks!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks, NN!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
We eat a lot of meatloaf in our house. It's actually my husband's favorite. I need to make him this one ASAP because..chipotle gouda.
Kristy Bernardo says
Yeah...chipotle gouda is one cheese I will never grow tired of!! 🙂
Susan | LunaCafe says
Holy cow, this is amazing. Love meatloaf and love cheese, so this is gonna be on our table, like tomorrow. 🙂
Kristy Bernardo says
That's great, Susan!
Kirsten says
Kristy,
This meatloaf looks amazing. I'd be peeling off crispy cheesy ooze and eating that right up while I was calling everyone in to dinner! And the potatoes--my family never eats this good. Too many damn beets and liver in my meatloaf. I want to eat at your house.
Thanks!
Kristy Bernardo says
Beets and liver? I love both and am intrigued by a meatloaf with those ingredients. Thanks, Kirsten 🙂
Heather / girlichef says
That glorious mound of gouda makes this meatloaf lover very, very happy (and very, very hungry)!
Kristy Bernardo says
Gouda makes everything better, right?? 🙂
Jen and Emily @ Layers of Happiness says
Something about meatloaf has always scared me... but the more I see it/the ingredients, the more I realize that it's just a big meatball! This meatloaf recipe is definitely one of the best one's I've seen... So much flavor!! YUM!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks so much, Jen! And, you're right - it's just a big meatball - that's too funny (because it's so true)!
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy says
Now that's a meatloaf!! I love meatloaf but if it's not done right it can be boring. This is the exact opposite of boring!! I love it!!!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks so much, Michelle! MWAH!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
oh my gawd!! all that Chipotle Gouda . . LOVE this! this brown sugar meatloaf is epic!! LOVE and pinned!
Kristy Bernardo says
haha, you're definitely a Mom since you used the word "epic"! That's all my girls say these days, it's hilarious. Thanks, Alice! 🙂
Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet says
I've been craving meatloaf for the last few weeks. This looks incredible! Need to make it!
Kristy Bernardo says
It's such a great fall comfort food, isn't it? Thanks, Lisa!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
Love the sweet and spicy flavors happening in this meatloaf! Such a great comfort food for fall!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks so much, Danae!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
This IS awesome! I'm coming to your house for dinner next time 😉
Kristy Bernardo says
And you would be more than welcome, Andi! 🙂
Sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog says
ohhh man - this entire meal, is TOTALLY up my alley -- yuuuuummmm!!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks, Sharana!
Matt Robinson says
Absolutely love the flavors in this meatloaf!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks so much, Matt!
Sues says
Best meatloaf ever?? Yup, definitely!!!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks, Sues 🙂