June 24, 2026 · 10 min

Caramelized Onion Meatloaves with Sumac Roasted Vegetables

Side Dish10 min933 cal / serving

These meatloaves are anything but ordinary. Topped with a luscious caramelized onion cream sauce, they’re juicy, savory and packed with flavor. Paired with sumac-roasted carrots and zucchini, this dish brings a touch of Middle Eastern flair to your dinner table.

The tangy sumac complements the sweetness of the roasted vegetables, while the creamy sauce ties everything together. It’s a balanced, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.


Recipe details

Side Dish10 min933 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories933 kcalProtein47.3 gFat58.7 gCarbs48.8 gSugar17.7 gFiber7.9 gSodium547 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: not detectedFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Carrots12 ounce CarrotsView ingredient guide
Zucchini1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guide
Ground Beef10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guide
Panko Breadcrumbs0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guide
Garlic Powder1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guide
Yellow Onion1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guide
Parsley0.25 ounce ParsleyView ingredient guide
Cream Cheese2 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guide
Sumac1 teaspoon SumacView ingredient guide
Olive Oil2 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil1 tablespoon Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Sugar0.75 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guide
Butter1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guide
SaltSaltView ingredient guide
PepperPepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Wash and dry the produce. Trim and peel the carrots, then cut them diagonally into ½-inch thick pieces. Trim the zucchini, halve lengthwise and slice into 1-inch half-moons.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon salt (1¼ teaspoon for 4 servings) and a pinch of pepper. Mix gently and form into two 1-inch thick loaves (four loaves for 4 servings).
  3. Lightly oil a baking sheet (or line with foil for easy cleanup). Place the meatloaves on one side. On the other side, toss the carrots and zucchini with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast on the top rack until the meatloaves are cooked through and the vegetables are tender and browned, 22-25 minutes. For extra crispy veggies, remove the meatloaves and continue roasting the vegetables for 2-3 more minutes.
  4. While the meatloaves roast, prepare the sauce. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onion. Pick the parsley leaves and chop them roughly. Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 6-9 minutes. If the onion browns too quickly, lower the heat and add a splash of water.
  5. Add the cream cheese, chicken stock concentrate, ½ cup water and ¾ teaspoon sugar (1½ teaspoon for 4 servings) to the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens, 1-3 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) and a pinch of chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. When the vegetables are done, toss them with half the sumac (all for 4 servings). Divide the meatloaves and vegetables among plates. Spoon the caramelized onion sauce over the meatloaves and garnish with the remaining chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

For easy cleanup, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil before adding the meatloaves and vegetables.

If you prefer extra-crispy roasted vegetables, remove the meatloaves from the baking sheet once done and continue roasting the veggies for 2-3 minutes.

To prevent the onions from browning too quickly, lower the heat and add a splash of water to the pan.

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef. Keep in mind that turkey is leaner, so the meatloaves may be slightly less moist.

What can I use instead of sumac?

If you don’t have sumac, you can substitute with lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice for a similar citrusy flavor.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and substitute the butter with a plant-based butter or oil.

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