I realize most people don’t like meatloaf…but I think it’s just because they’ve never had GOOD meatloaf before! Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of nasty dried out globs of meat trying to pass as meatloaf (of course all of these were AFTER I moved out of my parent’s house). I guess this week is turning into a sort of “My Mom’s Favorites….or at least my Favorites that my Mom makes” It must be because I’m gearing to go home for Thanksgiving and dreaming of all those things I hope she makes while I’m home! 😉 Anyway, the reason why I love this meatloaf reason (besides the fact that it is DELICIOUS, uses a surprising amount of food storage and will leave you wanting more) is that it can turn into an entire oven meal. One way to be responsible in the oven is to use that energy you’re paying for to cook as many things as possible (not to mention it means little work for you!) I usually serve it with baked potatoes and baked butternut squash (simply cut the butternut squash into 4-6 pieces and place in a 9×13 pan and bake during the meatloaf) I also like it because one of the things I like to do when I buy ground beef is to make “meatloaf packets” I mix everything together in a ziploc bag (I don’t even bother with dirtying a bowl) and then when it’s time to bake, I simply throw the meat mix (thawed) into the pan and bake. It’s one of the easiest meals ever and usually the meal I make for others for that exact reason!
Mom’s Meatloaf
1 ½ lb. Hamburger
¾ C. Oatmeal
1-2 Eggs (if you use powdered eggs (3 T. dry egg powder) use an extra can of tomato sauce as the liquid)
1 pkg. onion soup mix
¼ C. non-instant dry milk powder
1 can tomato sauce
(you can also add in dehydrated carrots and dehydrated bell pepper as well-about 1/4 C. each)
Mix together and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Goes great with potatoes and butternut squash.
*Shopping Tip: Most people, when purchasing a butternut squash, buy one that looks very picturesque (i.e. very large on the bottom and little on top) actually you want to choose a butternut squash that is as close to the same size on the bottom as on top so that you get more vegetable!
Looks really good. And I love the tip to mix ahead and freeze for future use. THX
Made this last night for my family – I only cooked half because with my past meatloaves there was always a bunch left. Not this one – it was gone and everyone wanted more. Served it with cauliflower with cheese sauce and homemade applesauce. Great recipe, thanks.
Quick question… tomato sauce… 15 or 6 ounce can? 🙂
6 ounce can
Thanks! We made ours in muffin tins to make mini-meatloaves. Fun huh? 🙂
The reason I didn't like meatloaf was because people almost always put ketchup in it, making it way too sweet. I finally found a savory recipe that didn't have ketchup and realized meatloaf can be really good with the right recipe. 🙂 So glad there's no sugar or ketchup in your recipe!
Now I have a clarification on that tomato sauce. I've never seen a 6oz. can of tomato sauce, though I usually see 6 oz.cans of tomato paste. Most sauce cans I have seen are 7.7 or 8oz. Is it possible this is actually an 8oz. can?
yes… 8 oz…it's the small can.
Quick question… tomato sauce… 15 or 6 ounce can? 🙂
6 ounce can
Thanks! We made ours in muffin tins to make mini-meatloaves. Fun huh? 🙂
The reason I didn't like meatloaf was because people almost always put ketchup in it, making it way too sweet. I finally found a savory recipe that didn't have ketchup and realized meatloaf can be really good with the right recipe. 🙂 So glad there's no sugar or ketchup in your recipe!
Now I have a clarification on that tomato sauce. I've never seen a 6oz. can of tomato sauce, though I usually see 6 oz.cans of tomato paste. Most sauce cans I have seen are 7.7 or 8oz. Is it possible this is actually an 8oz. can?
yes… 8 oz…it's the small can.
Always loved glazed ketchup mixed w/ brown sugar on my meatloaf. My m-i-l makes with gravy and recently my middle son wanted bbq sauce. My new favorite is bbq sauce. Now when I make meatloaf I divide in half and make half with the ketchup (for DH and youngest) and half w/ bbq sauce for middle son and me. This sounds like a good recipe I will be trying it out. Thanks
Always loved glazed ketchup mixed w/ brown sugar on my meatloaf. My m-i-l makes with gravy and recently my middle son wanted bbq sauce. My new favorite is bbq sauce. Now when I make meatloaf I divide in half and make half with the ketchup (for DH and youngest) and half w/ bbq sauce for middle son and me. This sounds like a good recipe I will be trying it out. Thanks