Well now, let me tell ya, meatloaf ain’t no fancy thing, but it’s sure tasty and fills the belly right up! I been makin’ it for years now, and my family just loves it. Now, some folks might think it’s a bit heavy, but if you do it right, it don’t have to be greasy and unhealthy. You see, when you use the right meat and season it proper, it comes out juicy and delicious every time. You don’t need no fancy pan either! Just a regular bakin’ pan will do just fine. Let me walk ya through how I make it, simple as can be.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of lean ground beef (80/20 is best, gives it good flavor without all the grease)
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs (I soak mine in a little milk to make it moist)
- 1/2 cup of milk (don’t forget the milk, it keeps it from bein’ too dry)
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, chopped up fine
- 1/4 cup of parsley, chopped (just adds a little color and flavor)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of pepper (don’t overdo it now)
- 1 teaspoon of sage (gives it that nice earthy taste)
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce (for a little extra flavor)
Now, first thing you gotta do is soak those breadcrumbs in the milk. Just throw ‘em in a bowl with the milk and let ‘em sit for a few minutes. It helps keep the meatloaf nice and moist, you know, so it don’t turn out dry and crumbly.
While that’s settlin’, take your ground beef and throw it in a big bowl. Add in the egg, the chopped onion, parsley, salt, pepper, sage, and that Worcestershire sauce. Now mix it all together, and don’t be shy about it. Get your hands in there and squish it all up real good. You want it to be mixed nice and even so every bite tastes just right.
Once your breadcrumbs are good and soaked, add them into the mix too. Keep mixin’ until everything’s all combined, and you’ve got yourself a big ol’ meatloaf mixture.
Baking time:
Now comes the fun part. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and get yourself a bakin’ pan. No need for a loaf pan like some folks use. I just find the regular pan gives it a nice crust around the edges. Spread the meatloaf mixture in the pan and shape it into a loaf, just like you’re makin’ bread, only with meat. Don’t worry too much about it bein’ perfect, it don’t need to be. Just make sure it’s even.
Stick it in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes. You’ll wanna check it after 30 minutes just to make sure it’s cookin’ through. Ain’t nothin’ worse than a meatloaf that’s raw in the middle, so make sure it’s all the way cooked.
Once it’s done, take it out and let it rest for a few minutes before you slice into it. I always make sure to let it sit a bit, ‘cause it helps the juices stay inside and not run all over the place when you cut it. Ain’t nobody wants a dry meatloaf!
Serving Suggestions:
Now, you can eat this meatloaf however you like. I always serve mine with mashed potatoes and a side of green beans, but you can’t go wrong with a salad or some corn on the side. And don’t forget a nice slice of bread to soak up any extra juices. Mmm, mmm, mmm!
This here meatloaf is perfect for a family dinner or even to feed a crowd. If you got more folks comin’ over, just double or triple the recipe. It’s easy to make a big batch, and trust me, it’ll be gone before you know it.
Now, there’s a lotta ways to make meatloaf, but this here’s how I do it. It’s simple, it’s tasty, and it don’t take no fancy ingredients. You don’t need to be a chef to make a good meatloaf, just use what you got and give it a try. I bet your family’ll love it just as much as mine!
Tags：[Meatloaf, Easy Meatloaf Recipe, Family Dinner, Homemade Meatloaf, Comfort Food, Moist Meatloaf, Simple Meatloaf Recipe, Baked Meatloaf]
