Warm, filling meatloaf is the classic comfort food. You most likely have a favorite recipe, whether its a family recipe passed down from grandma, or the kid-approved version that you’ve picked up along the way that you now call yours. If not, or if you’re just looking for a new spin on the classic this recipe is for you. With only using four ingredients (salt and pepper are freebies) which you probably already have in your fridge and pantry, this meatloaf is ready from start to finish in only 45 minutes!
Meatloaf is full of possibilities beyond the traditional beefy loaf with a sweet ketchup glaze. You can play around with different ground meats or mix in different herbs and spices. Whatever you do, the end result will always be familiar and comforting.
I make this recipe for between 100-150 kids at least once a month at the school I cook at, and they absolutely love it – most kiddos asking for seconds. The recipe is simple, easy to follow and can be doubled or tripled. Serve it up with some mashed potatoes, gravy and your favorite vegetable and you’re sure to please even the pickiest of eaters!
Oh yeah… meatloaf is a great way to sneak in vegetables without your kids (or husbands) even knowing! Just process them in a food processor until they are very finely chopped and add in with the rest of the ingredients!
gather your ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup + 1/2 cup tomato sauce
garlic salt and pepper
mix 1/4 tomato sauce, egg, spices and bread crumbs togehter
it will look like this. not too appealing, I know, but this mixture will incorporate into your ground beef much better giving you a better texture to your finished meatloaf
add in ground beef and mix with your hands (yupp… they really are your best tool in the kitchen) until well combined and it looks like this
transfer to a loaf pan (i lined mine with parchment paper) and cover with 1/2 cup remaining tomato sauce.
bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees (or more rare if you like it that way)
transfer to a plate and let rest 5 minutes before slicing
kid approved!
serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable
If you have picky eaters, this menu of kid approved recipes is sure to please! It includes an entire week of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks that kids and adults alike will love. Kid Approved Menu Plan with Recipes.
Here is the printable:
[yumprint-recipe id=’16’]
Author: Lindsie
Lindsie lives in Denver with her two-year-old son, Anthony, and her husband D.J. She is a chef at a private school and writes for her blog Mom’s Bistro (www.momsbistro.net), where she creates and shares recipes, basic cooking techniques and shares menu plans. Lindsie is extremely passionate about fighting hunger and her spare time, she works with her local food banks to make sure that no one goes hungry. Join Lindsie in her voyage to embrace life, motherhood and live sustainably.
