This Meatloaf Brings Everyone Back for Seconds

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats add fiber, while crushed crackers can be a cost-effective filler.

ketchup

🥗Healthier: tomato puree

💰Cheaper: homemade sauce

Tomato puree has less sugar, and homemade sauce can be made from pantry staples.

egg

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: applesauce

Flaxseed meal can bind ingredients while reducing cholesterol.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a pan, add a tiny bit of oil or butter and sauté chopped green bell pepper and sweet Vidalia onion until the onions are clear and the peppers soften.

Cool the sautéed vegetables before adding them to the meat mixture.

In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds of ground beef, sautéed bell pepper and onion, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 tablespoon and 1/2 mustard, chicken bouillon powder (or salt), a little Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.

Add a small amount of milk to soften the breadcrumbs, ensuring the mixture isn't watery.

Mix the ingredients together using a wooden spoon to avoid heating the meat with your hands too much.

Transfer the mixture into a baking pan, shaping it into a loaf while ensuring there are no cracks or holes.

Pour about 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the pan to keep the meatloaf moist during baking.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 10 minutes without covering it.

In the last 10 minutes of baking, remove the meatloaf and smother the top with ketchup before returning it to the oven.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens