Meatloaf ~ plain and simple meatloaf

I haven’t posted in quite some time and I’ve promised a few of you I would get back to it.  I’ve gotten in to several new projects that are taking so much of my time that I haven’t really taken time to create any new recipes lately.  I have a tendency to throw things together without keeping track of what I am doing so I need to get back in the habit of keeping track of these things.  So without further ado I will post a simple meatloaf recipe I made the other day.  This is another from the family cookbook.  My sister Pam gets the credit for this one!

• 1 egg
• 3 slices soft bread
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup milk or tomato juice
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients and shape into a loaf.  Bake 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees.  If desired top with ketchup or bbq sauce the last 30 minutes of baking.  I used a mix of ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar.  When we were kids we always used open-pit bbq sauce so go with the flavor you like.  Sometimes I will just use straight ketchup too.

Enjoy ~ Kimberly

Mexican inspired Meatloaf

I planned on a traditional meatloaf today but once I got home I looked longingly at my very ripe avocados and decided to go with  a mexican twist.  Quite tasty, the avocado really made it all come together.

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 Tbs crushed cumin seed
• 1 Tbs mexican oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 small flour tortillas
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• hot sauce

In bowl combine beef, eggs, salsa and seasoning; tear tortillas into little pieces add to beef mixture and work in cheese.  Form into loaf and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until cooked through.  Glaze with some hot sauce if desired and bake an additional 5 minutes. Serve with some avocado or guacamole.

Enjoy ~ Kimberly

Baked Italian Meatloaf Pasta

I put some of the leftover meatloaf to use today as a substitute for meatballs.  This was my crock pot meatloaf  so it had a softer texture than oven baked meatloaf but the flavor worked perfectly.

• 8 o.z pasta
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• leftover meatloaf ~ about a pound
• 1 cup italian cheese blend

Cook pasta according to package.  Drain and add 2/3 of the spaghetti sauce.  Cut meatloaf into large chunks and stir in. Pour into buttered baking dish; top with italian cheese blend.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 40 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Enjoy ~ Kimberly

Crock Pot Meatloaf

I’ve been experimenting with my crock pot lately.  I’d never tried meatloaf like this but I decided to today.  I used a variation of my recipe with oatmeal and glazed it with ketchup.  It came out fairly well but I think I needed a little more seasoning and maybe more of a glaze than just ketchup.  I actually ended up eating leftovers so I added a little ketchup and mustard to my slice and it was perfect.

• 2 1/4 pound ground beef ~ I had a package of ground round I found marked down so it was very lean
• 1/4 cup onion ~ finely minced
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 tsp marjoram
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• ketchup for the top

Combine all ingredients except for the ketchup.

Shape into a round slightly smaller than the crock pot. Place in crock pot and glaze with ketchup.

Turn to high and cook for about 5 hours. You’d probably need about  7 – 9 hours on low.

Meatloaf with Honey Jalapeno Barbecue Sauce

I had a craving for some good old-fashioned meatloaf and of course I couldn’t resist adding some of that fantastic barbecue sauce Charles made earlier this week.  This came out wonderfully.  It’s a very moist meatloaf so if you don’t like it falling apart this probably isn’t for you.  I liked the combination it could have maybe used some more jalapeno; but I like spicy.

Meatloaf with Honey Jalapeno Barbecue Sauce

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 4 slices soft bread
• 1/2 cup honey jalapeno barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup tomato juice
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 1 Tbs diced pickled jalapeno
• 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 2 eggs

Combine all ingredients.

Shape into loaf; bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Glaze with addition barbecue sauce if desire.  Bake an additional 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy ~ Kimberly

Just a little Meatloaf ~ jalapeno meatloaf

I was using up the last of a package of ground beef and decided a little meatloaf sounded good.  I just had about 12 o.z. of beef left so adjust this to your liking if you want to make more, but the jalapeno was a great touch and we really enjoyed our lunch with a augratin potato too.

Jalapeno Meatloaf

• 12 o.z. ground chuck
• 1 clove garlic – minced
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 cup diced fresh jalapeno
• 1/8 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup tomato juice
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup coarse bread crumbs

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl.  Form into a loaf and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.  I like to top mine with ketchup or bbq sauce and bake a few minutes longer.

I actually sprinkled a little brown sugar on top of the ketchup for this one.  It makes a great compromise at our house as I prefer the bbq and Charles prefers ketchup.

Enjoy ~ Kimberly