At long loaf..I mean last, here is my meatloaf recipe! Some of you have been asking for this for years and I keep saying yep yep, I’ll give it to you, and then I forget. I think subconsciously I am keeping it all to myself! But, now that my 1.5 yr old loves it, I feel it’s my duty to share with mommies and daddies of the world.
This recipe was my grandmother’s (Dad’s mom) and my mom passed it on down to me. She thinks that it originated on the back of can somewhere, but I prefer the idea that it’s a top secret family recipe that I’m about to share with you. Be sure to follow the directions carefully lest you end up making it like my dad. He followed it “to the T” for the meat loaf part, but the sauce, oh the sauce. I looked into the oven while he was baking it and saw three dollops of ketchup sitting on top of it. I say, “Dad, what in the world is on the meatloaf?” He matter of factly states, The Ketchup, it will melt over the top. Uhh….seriously Dad?! Ketchup doesn’t melt over it! You have to make the sauce. Epic fail on the dinner front that night!
I usually make this with ground turkey or ground turkey breast, but I’ve made it with regular ground beef for years. Any way you make it, I promise this is the best recipe you will ever ever taste. I make some healthy swaps to make it a bit better for you, but feel free to make it with ingredients you typically have in your home. So, here you go! Let me know what you think after you make it!
- 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs (I use Progresso Italian Seasoned, but if you are gluten free, you can try one of those varieties)
- 1/2 cup milk (I use skim)
- 1.5 lbs ground meet of choice (turkey, turkey breast, ground beef, or even chicken)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tbsp Durkee Instant Minced Onion (or any other brand, I have been using the dried ones from the spice aisle lately)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp prepared mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt (optional, I don’t use this)
- 1/2 cup water
Add milk to bread crumbs and let stand a few minutes. Mix with ground beef, egg, pepper, Worcestershire and onion.
Shape into loaf and put in baking dish or pan.
Combine ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and water and pour over meat loaf.
Bake at 350 for 1 hr and 15 mins. Baste occasionally. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
My favorite sides are mashed potatoes and corn for this meal, but swap that out with some salad or steamed kale for a healthier option!
Amy Misakonis 