Meatloaf. Some people hate it, “Peasant food!” they cry. Some folks love it. Count me in the latter category.
Meatloaf is one of those unsung dishes, one that some people rail against yet others dare to order when we see it, hoping the chef is inspired enough to make one that will take us back home.
My hope is that this recipe will be the latter type.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (can be ground chuck, whatever you would use normally)
1 lb pork sausage (I like the spicy kind but any kind of breakfast sausage is OK)
1 Tsp garlic powder
1 Tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tsp seasoned salt
1 Tsp ground black pepper
2/3 cup rolled oats
2 eggs
¼ cup tomato ketchup
Combine the beef and sausage in a large bowl, use your hands to mix the two meats together.
Measure in the dry ingredients along with the eggs. Mix everything together , ensuring no small pockets of dry ingredients remain.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 3-4 hours.
Put mixture into a standard 9-inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the top is a delicious, crusty brown mass.
Variations, Additions, and Notes
Want to make more? Add another pound of meat and an additional egg. Spice to taste.
I like onions. I normally will put a ¼ cup of finely chopped onion in as well. Be prepared to deal with the extra moisture the onion introduces. I’d use breadcrumbs for this. Add them slowly, don’t want it getting dry.
Spice it up Italian style using Parmesan cheese in place of some of the rolled oats. Use Italian-style breadcrumbs for even more flavor. Put some fresh parsley and basil in. Oregano adds even more flavor. Perhaps some garlic in as well. Use this mixture to make meatballs and serve with a good red sauce and pasta.
Put ½ of the mixture into the loaf pan then place slices of mozzarella cheese so they are in the middle of the loaf. Cover with the remaining mixture and bake normally.
Place American cheese or yes, Velveeta, in the center with cooked bacon and cover. Then place raw bacon strips so the loaf is completely covered in bacon goodness. <drool>
Meatloaf mix will make a great burger! Form the meat into patties and grill normally.
(sorry no pictures for this one. will add some next time I make meatloaf.)