Know how to make the best meatloaf, a long time dinner table staple

Meatloaf has been a dinner favorite for generations. With it’s simplicity, everyday ingredients, and spices typically found in kitchen cupboards, its not a question of how to make the best meatloaf — but how often. Meatloaf is relatively inexpensive and makes great leftovers as meatloaf sandwiches.

A Baby Boomer Favorite!

According to research from Gazelle Systems, a dining information company for the restaurant industry, baby boomers are foregoing the fancy meals when dining out and opting for so-called comfort foods like meatloaf. A familiar staple while growing up, meatloaf still reigns supreme today in American taste buds. Clearly, mom’s meatloaf brings back fond memories to middle-aged boomers, who are ordering it at restaurants in droves.

Mix it up a little

The best thing about making meatloaf is you can add or change up some of the ingredients in the recipe. You can substitute ingredients and still prepare a mouth watering meal for your family. You can also cover and smother it with gravy. Here is the list of ingredients and instructions on how to make the best meatloaf to suit your own personal taste.  

To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and pull out a loaf pan to give the meatloaf a nice, firm shape. The most important ingredient is your hamburger – be sure it is fresh and lean!

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Ingredients:

2 lbs hamburger
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup bread crumbs (You can also change it up a bit with these substitutes: crushed saltines, crushed seasoned crackers, oatmeal, or Italian bread crumbs)
1/2 medium onion
1 egg
1 pkg onion soup mix – optional, but adds tremendous flavor
Salt and pepper to taste
Topping: 1/2 cup catsup and 1/4 cup brown sugar

First place bread crumbs, chopped onion, egg and milk in a large bowl and mix well. Add onion soup mix for extra flavoring if desired! Add hamburger to mixture and blend well by kneading ingredients together. Place hamburger mixture in loaf pan and pat firmly into pan. Bake for 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees then pull from oven. Mix catsup and brown sugar together. Spread a layer of the catsup mix on top of meatloaf and return to the oven. Bake for another 30 minutes to give the meatloaf a sweet catsup glaze.

For a complete and filling meal, add other comfort foods such as mashed potatoes, green beans and warm apple pie to accompany your meatloaf. With these simple steps, you have the recipe on how to make the best meatloaf for family and guests.  

Reference:
Pass the Meatloaf