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    Home » Sauces » Meatloaf Red Sauce Recipe

    Meatloaf Red Sauce Recipe

    Published: Nov 2, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    You’ve made a delicious meatloaf recipe, now dress it up with a yummy sauce! This meatloaf red sauce recipe will transform your next dinner and quickly turn into a family favorite.

    Top down view of a plate of meatloaf with a baked sweet potato and peas.

    Why This Recipe Works

    My mom’s amazing homemade meatloaf recipe is a top recipe on this blog. It is a top-notch easy dinner recipe that many people swoon over. When I first made this dish for the blog I knew that Mom’s loaf of meat, as delicious as it was, needed a sauce to go along with it.

    That was when this oh-so-delicious meatloaf red sauce recipe was born. This sweet and tangy glaze is so good you will want to slather it all over everything in your entire fridge. I’m not kidding.

    Four simple ingredients and you’ll be ready to drizzle and dunk away! When paired with your favorite meatloaf, this combo creates one of the best comfort food recipes of all time.

    Best Sauce Recipes

    This meatloaf red sauce recipe isn’t the only one I’m in love with! Check out this comprehensive roundup of my favorite sauces on the planet.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Meatloaf red sauce ingredients lined up on a cutting board.

    Ketchup – Really, this ingredient is the star of the show, so it’s a must to include it. In a pinch, combine tomato paste or savory tomato sauce with honey and apple cider vinegar to create a quick homemade version of ketchup.

    Brown sugar – Brown sugar can be replaced with granulated sugar if needed. Light and dark brown sugars can be used interchangeably.

    Apricot preserves – The apricot flavor adds such a unique flavor to this sauce, but grape jelly or cherry berry jam taste great, too.

    Worcestershire sauce – If there is any ingredient in the mix that you can cut out, it’s this one. If you have it on hand, definitely splash it in!

    How To Make Meatloaf Sauce

    Ketchup, brown sugar and apricot jelly in a yellow mixing bowl.

    Step 1

    In a small bowl, combine:

    • Ketchup
    • Brown sugar
    • Apricot preserves
    • Worcestershire sauce.

    Mix well.

    Spoon lifting chunky red sauce out of a bowl.

    Step 2

    Spread half of the mixture evenly over your meatloaf halfway through baking. Reserve the remainder of the sauce for dipping/topping.

    Best Meatloaf Recipes

    Every meatloaf glaze needs a good meat loaf recipe. Consider making this classic meatloaf recipe—the best your lips will ever taste (huge claim, but totally accurate)—or this Instant Pot meatloaf. Both of these produce a super juicy meatloaf that everyone will love.

    If you want to change it up a bit, try this Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf! The mini portions make the perfect weeknight family dinner.

    While we’re on the subject, I’ll tell you a few of my meatloaf-related secrets:

    • Always replace bread crumbs and/or oatmeal with Ritz crackers.
    • Use a food processor to grind the crackers down and avoid a crumbly final product.
    • Lean ground beef or turkey work best. Beef with higher fat content create a much greasier meal than those made with a lean meat. Replace a portion of the meat mixture with ground pork for an even more well-rounded flavor.
    • When you combine ground beef with remaining ingredients, be careful not to over-mix. Doing so will result in a runny consistency that doesn’t cook as well.
    • Delicious additions to consider: finely chopped green bell peppers, Parmesan cheese, dry mustard powder, onion powder, fresh parsley or Italian seasoning.
    • Always bake this dish by setting the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid grease spills inside the oven.
    • To save yourself from having to clean an extra dish, place parchment paper on top of the baking sheet.
    • Let meatloaf rest for a minimum of 15 minutes before serving in order to keep it intact.
    • And if you find yourself with leftovers? Make meatloaf sandwiches and slather the sauce onto each slice of bread.

    Recipe Notes

    • Think beyond the loaf! Use this savory sauce as a sandwich spread or burger topping.
    • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days OR slather over top of the loaf and secure with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
    • Make this sauce while your meatloaf cooks to be most efficient in the kitchen. I recommend adding it to the top of the loaf halfway through cooking AND using it as a dip while eating.

    Beef and Pork Meatloaf Recipes – 9 Delicious Ideas!

    Click over to this roundup filled with delicious beef and pork meatloaf recipes to get on the table tonight!

    What To Serve With Meatloaf

    Check out this comprehensive list of side dishes that pair perfectly with meatloaf! You will find 44 options to choose from, ranging from a simple hashbrown casserole to a chopped salad to green beans to mashed cauliflower (and so much more!). 

    Substitute for Apricot Preserves

    Read on for some great ideas about what to substitute for apricot preserves if you need a replacement for this ingredient.

    Substitute for Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf

    Whether you are looking for a gluten-free replacement or you just don’t have bread crumbs on hand, learn what to substitute for bread crumbs in this dish!

    Red sauce dripping down sides of a piece of meatloaf.

    FAQ About Red Sauce

    What is red sauce?

    Red sauce refers to any sauce that is tomato-based and red in color, such as ketchup, marinara, red curry, spaghetti sauce, taco sauce or enchilada sauce.

    How to thicken red sauce?

    Thicken red sauce by done one or more of the following: Allow it to simmer for an extended period of time (up to 2 hours, stirring often), pour tomato sauce into the mixture until thick or stir in a cornstarch slurry.

    How to get red sauce out of clothes?

    To remove red sauce from clothing, wipe off excess sauce and run stained portion under cold water both from the front and back of the clothing. Apply dish soap to the stained area and gently massage with your fingers. Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears. Run it through the washing machine as usual!

    Homemade Sauces

    If you love this sauce, we’ve got more! Check out these scrumptious homemade sauce options:

    • Taco
    • Enchilada
    • Alfredo
    • Marinara
    • Ginger
    • BBQ

    Related Recipes

    • Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich
    • Meatloaf Recipe With Crackers
    • Best Instant Pot Meatloaf
    • Easy Meatloaf Story
    • 30+ Savory Ground Beef Recipes – Delicious Dinners!

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    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Meatloaf Red Sauce Recipe

    You've made a delicious meatloaf recipe, now dress it up with a yummy sauce! This meatloaf red sauce recipe will transform your next dinner.
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    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 71kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 3/4 cup ketchup
    • 1/4 cup brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup apricot preserves
    • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apricot preserves and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
    • Spread half of the mixture evenly over your meatloaf halfway through baking. Reserve the remainder of the sauce for dipping/topping.

    Notes

    • Think beyond the meatloaf! Use this savory sauce as a sandwich spread or burger topping.
    • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days OR slather over top of the loaf and secure with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
    • Make this sauce while your meatloaf cooks to be most efficient in the kitchen. I recommend adding it to the top of the loaf halfway through cooking AND using it as a dip while eating.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
    « Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich Recipe
    What To Serve With Meatloaf – 51 Perfect Sides! »

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