Easy Ground Beef Recipe for Meatloaf
Make an Old-Fashioned Dinner Favorite with this Meatloaf Recipe
Sep 22, 2009
Recipes for meatloaf are as varied as the moms who make them. Everyone has their personal preference for what meatloaf should taste like and what type of sauce should accompany it. This Old-Fashioned Meatloaf recipe can work with brown gravy, ketchup or meatloaf sauce.
An Old-Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe
This Old-Fashioned Meatloaf recipe is ideal for those who don’t like to get a mouthful of bread when they eat meatloaf. Instead of using fresh or stale bread, this recipe uses packaged bread crumbs to add texture and substance to the meatloaf. This recipe serves 4 and is easily doubled.
Ingredients:
- 1 to 2 lbs. ground beef.
- 1 egg for each pound of ground beef.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for each pound of ground beef.
- ¼ cup minced onion for each pound of ground beef.
- ¼ cup dry parsley for each pound of ground beef.
- 1 cup of dry bread crumbs.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except bread crumbs. Mix well.
- Gradually add breadcrumbs and knead mixture after each addition. Stop when the beef and breadcrumb mixture begins to feel firm.
- Form a loaf and place in pan.
- Bake for 1 hour per pound until meatloaf is done. Avoid overcooking.
Recipes for Meatloaf are Flexible
There are a few ways to alter the Old-Fashioned Meatloaf recipe. For example, the amount of breadcrumbs necessary to achieve a firm texture will depend in part on what type of ground beef is used. When using ground beef with only 7% beef fat, it will require fewer breadcrumbs to create a firm but not hard texture. Adding the entire amount of breadcrumbs at once will result in rock hard meatloaf.
Another way to alter this recipe is to double it. Doubling this meatloaf recipe is easy. To reduce cooking time, make two meat loaves of similar size. This will ensure that both will be done about the same time.
Possible Substitutions for Meatloaf Ingredients
A few of the ingredients can have substitutions. The dried parsley and minced onion can be substituted with fresh. Be sure to finely mince the onion so it cooks through. Using crushed crackers in place of breadcrumbs is another substitution that works. If substitution is necessary, place crackers in a zipper sealed bag and roll with rolling pin. Finely crushing the crackers is essential to achieve a similar consistency as breadcrumbs. There will be some difference in quality when crackers are used. For example, crushed Ritz crackers will result in a sweeter flavored meatloaf. Remember to reduce the amount of salt added (if using) when substituting crackers as most crackers have salted tops.
The Best Meatloaf Recipes are Customizable
The best meatloaf recipes are those that can be customized to suit individual tastes. One of the best parts about the Old-Fashioned Meatloaf recipe is that it tastes great regardless of whether it is served with brown gravy, ketchup or canned meatloaf sauce. The flavors in the cooked meatloaf work with all different sauces and toppings. To use canned meatloaf sauce, pour the sauce over the meatloaf during the last 15 minutes to create a glaze.
Old-Fashioned Meatloaf is a recipe that will quickly become a family favorite. It is flexible enough to handle ingredient substations. It is also easily customizable to suit different tastes. Serve Old-Fashioned Meatloaf with brown gravy, ketchup or canned meatloaf sauce and mashed potatoes.
For another ground beef recipe, read Stuffed Green Peppers is Easy Dinner Recipe. Also read Venison Recipes: How to Cook Deer Meat and Two Fast Dinner Recipes Using Italian Sausage.
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