Meatloaf is one of the most traditional meals Americans have, it has become one of America's favorite comfort foods. A traditional meatloaf and mashed potato recipe is like a good fairy tale, handed down from generations of careful preservation and altering, and is usually passed down from mother to mother. Of course, this varies by household, region and ethnicity. Some meatloaf's are smothered with BBQ sauce, some meatloaf's are stuffed with cheese or broccoli, some meatloaf's are covered in crackers, onions, you name it. There is no right or wrong meatloaf.
Recipes indicate that meatloaf as we know it today – blended with bread or cracker crumbs, egg and seasonings, then baked in a rectangular pan – gradually became popular between 1900 and the 1920s thanks to various factors like the economy and lack of refrigeration abilities.
Among the most popular early recipes introduced at the Columbian World Exposition in Chicago were several created by the Quaker Oats Company, meatloaf was one of those staples; showing off the many uses of Quaker Oats from breakfast to breadcrumb substitutions. This Fair also brought us Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, the Pledge of Allegiance, Cracker Jack and The Ferris Wheel.
This meatloaf recipe is an adaptation from a 1950's family recipe.
Traditional Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- 1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup milk and 1/3 cup of milk for mashed potatoes
- 1/2 medium white onion, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon A1, worschester sauce or steak sauce
- 3 pounds of potatoes
- 6 Tablespoons of butter or margarine
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 pound of bacon, cooked and chopped (optional)
- Preheat oven to 375F.
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix briefly, but thoroughly, with your hands.
- Form meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape on baking sheet, lined with tinfoil.
- Bake in oven for 45-50 minutes.
- Fill large pot with cold water, and place over stove, keep at nearly boiling.
- When water comes to boil, place potatoes in and let them become soft.
- Fry up bacon, let cool and chop into bits.
- When potatoes have reached a nice mashing point-remove them, add milk, add butter, and mash.
- Remove loaf from oven and set to the side.
- Change oven temperature to 450F.
- Using a long knife or spatula, spread the mashed potatoes around the loaf, covering every visible inch with mashed potato fluff.
- Sprinkle bacon on top of mashed potato covered meatloaf.
- Place meatloaf in oven for another 10-15 minutes.
- Let cool and enjoy.
