Meatloaf Isn't Always Boring!

Who says that Meatloaf is boring?!  Not >>this<< woman!  Even though this is a meal reserved primarily for the winter months in my house ... every so often you want a little comfort food.  And let's face it ... meatloaf is one of those meals that is just comforting.

I think all of us have at least one meatloaf recipe we use.  Sometimes you get stuck on that one recipe so your meatloaf can be a little boring to the family.  Just like with a good stew, chili or goulash, you can basically 'dress up' your meatloaf with absolutely anything!

This week I stuck to the basics and didn't really do anything crazy, but have to say ... it honestly is a great recipe to have.

So here's what I started with:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 white onion
• 1 bunch of flat leaf parsley
• Meatloaf seasoning
• 1 egg
• breadcrumbs

Get started by getting out the big mixing bowl and add in your beef.  (for a lower fat meatloaf of course use ground turkey - I use both depending on my mood, this week I happened to be in the mood for beef)  Then take your bell pepper and onion and finely chop.  Add these to your meat in the bowl.

Next up .... the flat leaf parsley. It's best to bunch it up and then chop.  Add into your bowl.  

Next of course is the meatloaf seasoning, egg and about a handful of breadcrumbs.  I've also used Panko before as a substitute and it works WONDERS.  My mother in law, (before she passed) would swear by crushed saltines in her meatloaf ... I told you that you can basically throw what you like in here!

Mix together, but be careful to over-work your meat.  We want it combined, but not worked to death.

Spray your loaf pan with some cooking spray and place in the meat mixture.  Now comes decision time for most.  When I was growing up my mother made the same meatloaf every time and put the ketchup on top.  To this day I refuse to put ketchup on my meatloaf.  I just can't bring myself to do it.  I fully respect those that do, don't get me wrong ... but my mother overplayed her ketchup hand.  

For a BBQ meatloaf I will put bacon pieces in my mixture, red onions and then cover the top with BBQ ... not bad.  (well, then again - add bacon and it's great either way)  I digress .... 

Next is easy ... pop this beauty into the oven for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Allow to cook to perfection.  Note: if making more than one pound you may need to adjust cooking time.

Sides.  Those are easy.  I did a quick batch of mashed potatoes, added some light sour cream and parsley.  I also chose some sweet steamed corn as a side.  I also made a quick batch of gravy, (flour, beef stock and some dijon mustard) as my husband had to have gravy with his meatloaf.  

Here we are all hot and bubbly.  We could be done at this point ... but for a little bit of a kick I took some shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese and sprinkled over the top and placed back in the oven on Broil for about 5 minutes.  *insert mouth watering

And there it is ... comfort on a plate.  Moist, flavorful from the veggies inside, little kick from the melted cheese.  

Feel free to comment with your favorite ways to make this glorious comfort meal!  Enjoy!

~Cheers!

Jacqui