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Meatloaf

This is the first recipe I ever learned to cook well enough that I was comfortable experimenting with variations. This is what I came up with.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Author Jarandhel Dreamsinger

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef pref lean
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 and 1/2 cups fine dry Progresso Italian-Style breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup minced onion dried onion flakes may be used
  • Ketchup to taste, but at least 3 tablespoons

Spices (amount to taste)

  • Hungarian Hot Paprika
  • Celery Salt
  • Garlic Salt
  • Oregano
  • Dill Weed
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

  1. Defrost the meat, crack the eggs, mix everything together.
  2. Take the meat and form it into a loaf or ring. A ring generally cooks better.
  3. Put it in a large pan or oven-safe casserole dish. Slather a light but thorough layer of ketchup over the surface of the meat, covering all areas of it (including between the pan and the meat). You're basically greasing it up with the ketchup to keep the surface from drying out while you cook it.
  4. Bake in the oven on 350 for about 45 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Remember to mix everything together VERY thoroughly, with your hands. I have sat and done this for up to an hour before.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices. This is YOUR meatloaf. Make it something you'll enjoy.
With the ketchup coating it has a tendency to stay looking pink even when it's done, so you'll have to cut into it to really see if it's done. You don't want to see any pink left inside of the center of the cut.
If you form the loaf into patties instead of a ring, the same recipe will also work for a very tasty hamburger.

Adapted from family recipe