Meatloaf is an American favorite, known to many as a comfort food.
This meatloaf recipe is extremely simple and easy to follow. There are many variations on meatloaf, but the basic almost always includes ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and some kind of tomato product. You can tailor this meatloaf recipe to your own family's tastes, or keep it simple and follow the basic instructions
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1.5 lbs ground beef , lean ground beef, ground chuck, or ground turkey can be substituted
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1 large egg
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½ cups dry bread crumbs , seasoned stuffing mix or rolled oats can be substituted
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1 cups (½ pint) ketchup , salsa or canned tomatoes (drained) can be substituted
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1 Worcestershire sauce , optional
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1 bread pan
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1 large bowl
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- Serves:
- 4
- Preparation Time:
- 10 minutes
- Cooking Time:
- 1 hour
- Oven Temperature:
- 350° f - 175° c
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Step 1: Preheat Oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
350 degrees Fahrenheit is equal to 176.7 degrees Celsius. Preheat the oven completely so the meatloaf will cook evenly and not burn.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
Combine all ingredients in this meatloaf recipe in one large bowl. Use hands or a wooden spoon to mix ingredients well.
 | Other optional ingredients you might want to add are minced garlic, dried or finely chopped onion, finely chopped green pepper, dry mustard, pepper, cheese, chopped mushrooms, or other chopped vegetables of your choosing. Since meatloaf is so varied and unique to taste, you can get creative during this step and create your own special meatloaf recipe. |
Step 3: Place Mixture Into Pan
Place meat mixture into ungreased bread pan and pat down until even. The fat content in the meat makes greasing the pan unnecessary.
Step 4: Bake
Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, until center is no longer pink. Meatloaf should show an internal temperature of 160 degrees if using a meat thermometer. If desired, you may add a mixture of ketchup and barbecue sauce to the top about ten minutes before removal; any sooner and the sugar content of the mixture will cause it to burn.
Step 5: Let Cool
Once baked, let your meatloaf cool in the pan for at least five minutes before removing (using pot holders to prevent burning) to a serving plate, slicing, and serving.
This basic meatloaf recipe can be served with ketchup, salsa, or barbecue sauce and makes a wonderful main dish the whole family can enjoy. Using your own variations on ingredients or using the basic meatloaf recipe, you'll feed your family well. It can also be served with mashed potatoes and a brown mushroom gravy. Leftovers (if there are any) make wonderful sandwiches for the next day's lunch.
