Description
Paula Deen’s BBQ meatloaf combines Southern comfort with zesty barbecue flavors in a hearty main dish. Juicy ground beef mingles with tangy sauce, creating a memorable meal that brings family and friends together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons pepper
Aromatic and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 diced onion
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- 2 8-ounce (226 grams) cans tomato sauce
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) water (to thin sauce if necessary)
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 180°C / 350°F, ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, beaten egg, salt, ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of tomato sauce until the ingredients are well integrated.
- Gently shape the meat mixture into a cohesive loaf, carefully transferring it to a shallow baking pan to maintain its form.
- Create a tangy BBQ sauce by whisking together the remaining tomato sauce, white vinegar, dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a small amount of water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Generously drizzle the prepared BBQ sauce over the meatloaf, ensuring an even and complete coverage that will infuse flavor during cooking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, periodically basting the meatloaf with pan juices every 15 minutes to preserve moisture and enhance flavor.
- Verify the meatloaf is fully cooked by checking its internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F), then allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing to help retain its juices.
- Slice the meatloaf into thick, hearty portions and serve immediately with complementary side dishes for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Unleash juicy flavors by gently mixing ingredients without overworking the meat mixture.
- Fresh breadcrumbs create a light, tender texture that transforms ordinary meatloaf into a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Finely diced onions blend seamlessly, distributing savory notes throughout every delicious bite.
- Loose shaping prevents dense, tough results, keeping the meatloaf wonderfully soft and succulent.
- Continuous basting locks in moisture, building layers of rich, deep flavor with each pass.
- Resting allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is perfectly moist and holds together beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 452.7 kcal
- Sugar: 8.0 g
- Sodium: 1,416.8 mg
- Fat: 25.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.4 g
- Fiber: 2.4 g
- Protein: 24.9 g
- Cholesterol: 115.9 mg