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Ultimate Saucy Meat Loaf with Peppers and Worcestershire Glaze
This Ultimate Saucy Meat Loaf is juicy, flavourful, and topped with a tangy BBQ glaze. A hearty homemade dinner recipe perfect for weeknights or Sunday supper.
Why You Will Love and Enjoy This Ultimate Saucy Meat Loaf
- The sauce turns thick and sticky while baking and tastes amazing spooned over mashed potatoes.
- The grated peppers keep the meat loaf juicy without making it heavy.
- It slices beautifully the next day for sandwiches or leftovers.
This Meat Loaf comes out juicy inside with a sticky BBQ topping that clings to every slice. The leftovers make incredible sandwiches the next day.
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Ultimate Saucy Meat Loaf
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Dinner Recipes
- Method: Easy Cooking
Description
This Ultimate Saucy Meat Loaf comes out juicy, flavourful, and just messy enough in the best way. The peppers, herbs, and tangy sauce soak right into the meat while the top gets sticky and caramelized in the oven.
Ingredients
Meat Loaf
- 1.5 lb – 700 g ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 1/2 red pepper, grated
- 1/2 green pepper, grated
- 1/2 yellow pepper, grated
- 1 chili, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp BBQ spice
- 1 cup Salticrax crackers, crushed into crumbs
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Topping
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp chili sauce
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 3 tbsp warm water
Optional for the Top
- Extra chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350⁰F (180⁰C).
- Lightly spray a baking tray or loaf pan with olive oil spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the 700 g ground beef or lamb, 1 grated onion, 1/2 grated red pepper, 1/2 grated green pepper, 1/2 grated yellow pepper, 1 chopped chili, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp tomato sauce, 1 egg, 1 tbsp BBQ spice, 1 cup crushed Salticrax crumbs, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Mix everything with clean hands until just combined. Don’t overmix, as it will turn dense instead of tender.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf directly on the prepared baking tray or press it gently into a loaf pan.
- If the mixture feels a little wet from the grated vegetables, that’s perfectly fine. The crumbs will help hold it together while baking.
- In a small jug, whisk together the 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp chili sauce, 2 tbsp BBQ sauce, and 3 tbsp warm water until smooth.
- Pour most of the sauce over the meat loaf, letting it drip down the sides a little. Keep a few spoonfuls aside for brushing later if you’d like extra glaze on top.
- Sprinkle over extra parsley and the 2 tbsp cracker crumbs if using.
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on thickness.
- About halfway through baking, spoon a little of the pan juices over the top to keep it moist.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. It’ll hold together better and stay juicier.
Notes
Prepared, tried, and tested by Melanie
Additional Information
- Can I make this ahead? Yes. You can shape the meatloaf and refrigerate it covered for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Can I make it less spicy? Absolutely. Leave out the chili or use mild chili sauce instead.
- Can I use different crackers? Yes. Ritz crackers, breadcrumbs, or even rolled oats work well here.
- Can this be frozen? Yes. You can freeze the baked or unbaked meat loaf for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
- How long can this be stored and how? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat slices gently in the oven or microwave with a spoonful of extra sauce to keep them moist.
Ingredient Substitute Suggestions
- Ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef or lamb
- Breadcrumbs or rolled oats can replace Salticrax crumbs
- Fresh oregano can replace thyme
- Chili flakes can replace fresh chili
- Tomato ketchup can replace tomato sauce if needed
This dish is hearty, saucy, and made with everyday ingredients that work really well together. Even people who usually skip meatloaf tend to go back for another slice
Ultimate Saucy Meat Loaf delivers juicy slices, rich savoury flavour, and a sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. The peppers, herbs, and Worcestershire sauce give the meat loaf a homemade taste that feels comforting without being heavy. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but satisfying enough to serve when family gathers around the table.
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