Meat Loaf

My son Brandon loves meatloaf. He will usually ask for it for his birthday dinner. This is also a good slow cooker recipe, for those busy days.  Leftover meat loaf makes great sandwiches and an awesome Meatloaf Soup

MEATLOAF 

(serves 8)

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

*1/2 pound sausage

*1 green pepper, chopped

*3/4 cups rolled oats

*1/4 cup milk

*1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

*1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

*1 egg

*1/2 onion, chopped

*1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

*1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~In a large bowl, combine meat, green pepper, Italian bread crumbs, milk, oats, Worcestershire sauce, egg, onion, salt & pepper.

~Mix lightly but thoroughly.

~Press into a bread pan.

~Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until meat in no longer pink.

~Remove from bread pan, onto a serving dish.

~Let stand for five minutes before serving.

Variations:

`Add 1/4 cup barbecue sauce or ketchup to the top of the meatloaf before cooking or a mixture of BBQ sauce and ketchup. 

`Substitute bread crumbs with crushed saltine crackers or butter flavored crackers.

`Add 1/2 pound of veal to meat mixture.

`Once mixed, form into patties and grill as burgers.

Helpful Hint:

Make your meatloaf up ahead of time and freeze before cooking. That way on busy days or when you have unexpected company for dinner, you have something ready. You can let it defrost before baking or bake (covered) in the oven while still frozen for an extra 30-40 minutes.