Adventures In Meatloaf

As a child, I did not much care for meatloaf.  My mother did make it regularly, and I did eat it (because she made us eat everything she put on our plates; even broccoli; and sauerkraut; and fish) but I did not enjoy it.  As with many things in life, my culinary tastes have evolved with age and I now think my mom’s meatloaf is absolutely delicious.  My favorite sister-in-law makes this regularly…I think it’s one of the first recipes she got from my mother after she married my brother.  I would say hers is just as good as my mom’s.

I think that one of the major keys to the epic deliciousness of this particular recipe is that it calls for minced green pepper and onion, both of which are sautéed in olive oil.  Then you stir in your breadcrumbs (these days, I actually use Panko instead) and set all that aside while you prep the rest of the ingredients.  I feel that this extra sautéing step is key to why this meatloaf recipe is special.

In a big bowl, you whisk together all your wet ingredients and your spices, then whisk in your sauté mixture.  Finally, dump in your ground beef (lower fat is better) and with your hand, gently work everything together.  Pro tip:  if, like me, you don’t like cleaning ground meat out from under your fingernails, just pop on a disposable latex glove to do the hand mixing.  Put everything in a greased loaf pan, and press it down firmly.  This will help the loaf hold its shape.  Bake it for awhile, then top with a ketchup/brown sugar/vinegar glaze and bake it a little longer.  The internal temperature needs to be at least 165°.

After it comes out of the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before you start slicing it.  This meatloaf refrigerates beautifully and tastes even better the day after you bake it.  It’s delicious cold, or reheated in the microwave.  And of course, you can make a sandwich out of it, if that’s your thing.  So easy!  Enjoy this family favorite…

Mom’s World Famous Meatloaf

Click here for printable PDF of recipe

INGREDIENTS

Meatloaf

1.5 lbs ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

1/2 cup minced green pepper

2 Tbsp minced parsley

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup bread crumbs

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dry ground mustard

2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

3/4 cup milk

2 eggs

Sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a small saute pan, cook the onion and green pepper in the olive oil until tender. Then mix in the breadcrumbs and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, mustard, parsley, salt, and pepper. Make sure the dry spices are thoroughly incorporated. Then add in the onion/pepper mixture and whisk again. Finally, add the beef, using your hand to thoroughly combine everything. Place meatloaf into a greased loaf pan and press down firmly. If you choose a smaller loaf pan, you will want to place a tray under it in the oven in case the fat boils over, and also it will take a little longer to cook.

Bake about 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Mix together the sauce ingredients and spread over the top. Bake for 20 more minutes. Interior temperature should be at least 165°. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. Then slice and enjoy!