Description
Hearty meatloaf sings with rich, tangy sauce that elevates classic comfort food to new heights. Robust flavors and simple ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated base for the meatloaf sauce.
- Taste the mixture and fine-tune the flavor profile, adjusting seasoning as needed to achieve a balanced sweet and tangy essence.
- Microwave the sauce on high power, pausing every 30 seconds to stir and prevent sugar from scorching, typically requiring 1-2 minutes of total heating time.
- Watch for visual cues of sauce transformation – when sugar completely dissolves and the mixture develops a glossy, uniform appearance, remove from microwave.
- Allow sauce to rest for 1-2 minutes, enabling natural thickening and temperature reduction, which will enhance its coating consistency for meatloaf application.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness and tanginess by tweaking brown sugar and vinegar ratios to match personal taste preferences.
- Stir frequently during microwaving to prevent sugar burning and ensure smooth, glossy sauce texture.
- Swap ingredients for dietary needs, like using low-sugar ketchup or gluten-free Worcestershire sauce for alternative diets.
- Prepare sauce in advance and store in refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Microwaving
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg