What a quick tasty meal for a young family! And, it’s easy!
Making meatloaf is almost like taking the evening off from cooking supper. Just mix up the hamburger, herbs or spices, egg, bread crumbs and ketchup. Place in the baking casserole, place it in the oven and walk away for 45 minutes. It’s that simple.
I like to try different flavors with my meatloaf…Italian herbs, hot spices, Ketchups, a little mustard, cheeses and other condiments. They are fun to combine and delicious to eat.
This recipe serves 4-6 people, depending on how many sides you serve with it.
Preheat your oven to 350F degrees.
Prep your baking pan:
-Using a medium casserole dish, about 9” x 6” in size. The sides should be at least 3” high.
-Lightly brush a little vegetable oil on the bottom and sides.
Gather up your Ingredients:
1 Pound Hamburger, 85-90% lean
1 Egg, beaten
1 t Italian spices
1 C Bread crumbs or cracker crumbs
1 C Ketchup, separated
Pinch of Salt
2 Shakes of Pepper, ground
Mix it all together:
-In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs) with the Italian herbs/spices.
-Using your (clean) hands, add all of the ingredients to the bowl and mix all together, except for ½ cup of the ketchup, until combined.
-Do not overmix. Just mix until combined.
-Place the hamburger mixture in the prepared baking dish.
-Pat it into place, not pressing it in.
-Spread the leftover ½ cup of ketchup on top of the hamburger mixture.
-Bake at 350F degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.
-I check the meatloaf at the 45-minute mark by cutting into the middle to see if it’d done. If not, then I leave it in for another 15 minutes.
-If you double the recipe and use a larger baking pan, you may need to bake it longer.
-If you notice it’s browning too fast on top, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last few minutes.
-Cool it on a rack for 5 minutes before serving.
-Cut and scoop out the meatloaf with a large spoon or knife and spatula.
-Serve along with potatoes, salad or other veggies, bread and butter…and a side of more ketchup. Enjoy!
Options:
-15 minutes before the meatloaf if done, add slices of cheese on top. Mild cheddar, provolone or mozzarella are good choices.
-How about a Swiss Olive Meatloaf?
-Add Swiss cheese and whole pimento olives on top about 15 minutes before the meatloaf is done.
-What about an American Burger Meatloaf?
-Add slices of or shredded Cheddar Cheese on top with pickle slices on top of the cheese. Serve mustard and ketchup as condiments along with buttered and fried burger buns. When the meatloaf is almost done in the oven, butter the cut sides of burger buns and sauté them on the buttered side in a large fry pan until they are browned and crispy. Cut thick slices of the meatloaf for each whole bun…YUM!
However you like to finish off your meatloaf, do it to meet your tastes and “Bake your own Memories!”