Basic Meatloaf Recipe

The meatloaf has been a part of every American’s home, as a part of daily diet or as a part of family meals. The meatloaf has also been a of the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink since 1899. The meatloaf is associated with comfort, warmth and families. But the meatloaf can be a problem for those who are on a diet as it does contain a lot of calories. But worry not, there are ways to cut down on those calories.

Here are some basic meatloaf recipes, with a few variations:

Basic Meatloaf with Bacon
Ingredients:

• Lean ground beef - 2 pounds.
• Salt - 2 teaspoons.
• Ground black pepper - ¼ teaspoon.
• Eggs, beaten - 2.
• Soft bread crumbs - ½ cup.
• Milk - ½ cup. (for the calorie conscious this can be slim milk).
• Worcestershire sauce - 1 teaspoon.
• Onion, chopped finely - ¼ cup.
• Thyme, dried and crumbled - ¼ teaspoon.
• Rosemary, dried and crumbled - ¼ teaspoon.
• Bacon, halved - 3 slices.

Preparation:

• In a mixing bowl add the ground beef, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, onions, thyme, rosemary and Worcestershire sauce. Mix properly so that it is blended properly.
• Put this mixture in a loaf pan that has been greased and pack it in well.
• Layer the meatloaf with the sliced bacon and bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes.

Easy French Onion Meatloaf
This meatloaf is a basic meatloaf recipe with a little variation for an interesting taste.
Ingredients:

• Lean Ground beef - 2 pounds.
• Rolled oats - ½ cup.
• Dry bread crumbs - ½ cup.
• Egg, lightly beaten - 1.
• Condensed French onion soup - 1 can, undiluted.
• Salt - ¼ teaspoon.
• Pepper - ¼ teaspoon.
• Parsley flakes - 1 tablespoon.
• Barbeque sauce - as needed.

Preparation:

• In a mixing bowl put all the ingredients and blend well.
• Pack this mixture in a large meatloaf pan or a simple loaf pan of 9x5x3 inches.
• Bake this at 350 degrees F for 75 minutes.
• Remove the pan just before it is done and spread a bit of barbeque sauce and put it back in the oven.
• Serve hot.

Grandma’s meatloaf
This is an old-fashioned grandma style basic meatloaf recipe.
Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon.
• Celery, chopped - 2 stalks.
• Onions, chopped - ½ cup.
• Lean ground beef - 1 ½ pound.
• Oats - ¾ cup.
• Chili sauce - ¼ cup.
• Worcestershire sauce - 1 tablespoon.
• Salt -1 ½ teaspoon.
• Egg, beaten - 1 large.
• Water or milk - 3 tablespoons.

Preparation:

• Take a large skillet and heat oil in it over medium heat. To this add the celery and onion and cook till both are soft and tender, this should take 9 minutes.
• Take a large mixing bowl and to that add the ground beef, oats, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, beaten egg and the celery-onion mixture. Also add the water or milk as per your choice. Mix all the ingredients well.
• Take a baking dish and pack the mixture in this dish in the shape of a loaf.
• Bake at 375 degrees F for 60 minutes.
• This meatloaf is good to serve 8 people.

Southwestern-style Meat Loaf
Ingredients:

• Lean ground beef - 1 pound.
• Ground veal - ¾ pound.
• Egg - 1.
• Dry bread crumbs - ½ cup.
• Ripe olives, chopped - 1 can of 5 ounces.
• Green chili pepper, chopped - 1 can of 4 ounces.
• Corn kernels - 1 cup.
• Salsa - ½ cup.
• Onion powder - 1 teaspoon.
• Garlic powder - ½ teaspoon.
• Pepper - 1/8 teaspoon.
• Salt - ¼ teaspoon.

Preparation:

• Take a large mixing bowl and add all the ingredients except the salsa and blend well.
• Take a loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 75 minutes. Add the salsa as topping and bake for another 5 minutes.
• This meatloaf serves 8.