Winter is here and what better way to warm up than tossing a classic meatloaf in the oven, maybe making some Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes from Lidia Bastianich and cozying up with some tea and a game of cards after you’ve stuffed yourself and put on your post-dinner sweatpants (I know I’m not the only one..).
Not sure about you, but as unappetizing as meatloaf actually sounds, it’s one of my favourite foods! It’s like a hamburger and a meatball in the shape of bread. See, unappetizing. But there’s just something so comforting about meatloaf. I think that my mom made it infrequently enough that when she did make it, it was still exciting as opposed to the “Aw maaaa, not meatloaf again!” Plus it’s one of those things (like lasagne) that everyone makes differently but rarely disappoints.
I have never actually made meatloaf with anything other than beef – so today, we’ve got one with beef and pork, just to switch it up. There are a few spices that you’ll most likely have on hand. I used cracker crumbs, but if you’ve got unseasoned bread crumbs go for it! (I just crushed crackers myself)
The sauce is super easy and pretty close to the same as any other meatloaf sauce… because what is a classic meatloaf sauce without Ketchup? Not a meatloaf sauce, that’s for sure. I feel like that is so classic for meatloaf to have a Ketchup sauce on it! I suggest reserving a little bit of the sauce if dipping is your thing, or maybe even make a double batch!
I did try to make the sauce in a saucepan at first, but if I’m honest, all that does is make more dirty dishes. You will be equally satisfied if you just mix it together in a bowl/mug (I always mix things in mugs) and slather it on the meatloaf before it is done.
For the last 15 minutes or so, the temperature will be 400 degrees F. It’s the perfect time to put in a sheet of broccoli in oil, salt and pepper.
This meatloaf does take around an hour to bake, so you’ll have plenty of time to prep sides and do dishes. Or lay on the couch like I prefer to do.
Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- .75 kg ground beef
- .75 kg ground pork
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup bread or cracker crumbs unseasoned
- 3 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
Classic Sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1/2 cup ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Add meat, egg and breadcrumbs to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine
- To the meat mixture, add parsley, ground mustard and garlic powder
- Knead this mixture for around 10 (yes, 10) minutes
- Place mixture into a large baking
- dish, leaving about an inch between the meatloaf and the edges of the dish
- Season the meatloaf with salt
- Place meatloaf into the oven, cooking for 35 minutes
- After 35 minutes, increase the temperature of your oven to 400 degrees F and cook for another 15 minutes
- Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl or mug, mix brown sugar, mustard and ketchup
- When timer goes for meatloaf, remove it from the oven, brush the sauce on the top of the meatloaf and return to the oven for the final 10 minutes
- Once the meatloaf has baked for 1 hour, remove from dish onto a cutting board for easy service (and because if you leave it in the pan, it's just going to be floating in grease). Allow to rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving.
This recipe was sooooooo simple and delicious!!!! Freezes well too. Definitely a keeper.