This meat loaf is a wonderful family recipe that was created by my mother. It's easy and quick to put together and needs no watching.
This meat loaf is a wonderful family recipe. It was created by my mother. It's easy and quick to put together and needs no watching. You don't even have to make separate gravy; it just all bakes at one time in a single pan.
Meat loaf is a terrific way to use that ground beef that's on sale. It makes a delicious dinner or a super sandwich. Eat it hot or cold, any season of the year. It's even good in summer; use the microwave version to keep the kitchen cool and enjoy meat loaf sandwiches on your next picnic!
This meat loaf is so delicious that you are guaranteed to have no leftovers. It is sure to become one of your favorite family recipes!
Kentucky Meat Loaf Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef, ground chuck, or ground round
- 1 extra-large egg
- 3/4 cup diced green pepper
- 3/4 cup diced onion
- 3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Preparation:
- Place ground beef, rolled oats, diced green pepper, diced onion, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Add egg and half of the tomato sauce; set the rest of the tomato sauce aside. Mix with your hands just until all ingredients are well-distributed. (Tip: Don't mix too much or your meat loaf will be too compact.)
- Place the mixture evenly in a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan; do not pack down. Pour remaining tomato sauce over the mixture.
- Cover with foil, sealing it tightly around the edges of the pan to keep the moisture in.
- Bake at 375 degrees 50 to 55 minutes. Remove foil and bake about 10 minutes more.
- Remove meat loaf from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Makes 3 to 4 servings.
Variations and Tips:
- You might want to use part ground pork instead of all beef. If so, try a mixture of 1 pound ground beef and 1/2 pound ground pork.
- Meat loaf is best when made with ground chuck or round. There's less fat than in hamburger or products marked "ground beef", and so your meat loaf will be less greasy and much tastier and healthier for you.
- You might wish to substitute mushroom pieces for some of the diced green pepper or diced onion. Just make sure the pieces are small so your meat loaf has a good texture.
- Cut cooking time in half by using a glass loaf pan and baking in the microwave. Cover with paper towel to prevent splattering. Reduce cooking time to 20 to 25 minutes. Be sure to rotate the dish about every 5 minutes if your microwave does not have a carousel.
