Old-Fashioned Meat Loaf (A.K.A. Basic Meat Loaf)

Meat loaf has got to be on my top ten list of comfort foods that I love. It always hits the spot. Although most of the people in my family love leftover meat loaf sandwiches, I have never been one for them. I don't think you can get better than yummy meat loaf right out of the oven with that sweet, ketchup-y (yeah, I made that up!) sauce on top. Normally, I like a tomato gravy on it, but this was put together at the last minute for dinner the other night. That's why the picture isn't the best, it was at night, and I knew there weren't going to be any leftovers. =) Paula Deen never lets me down. Probably because she's a southern gal like me. This is such an easy recipe that you have to try it...if you already haven't. The mashed potatoes that you see in the picture were actually made using the Double-Decker Shepherd's Pie. They are some of my favorite mashed potatoes EVER, and they are super simple. I'm all about simple and easy on a weeknight. I hope y'all make this...it's super YUMMY! Enjoy!


INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1¼ teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup chopped onion - I used a regular yellow onion.
• ½ chopped bell pepper - I used green.
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
• ½ cup quick-cooking oats

Topping

• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoons prepared mustard

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf. (I just used a well greased loaf pan, but, just a warning, A LOT of grease comes out of the meatloaf so don't be alarmed.)

3. Mix ingredients for topping, and spread on top of loaf. 

4. Bake for 1 hour or until done.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe Source: Paula Deen via FoodNetwork.com