Meatloaf Exacerbation! (with a veggie Rx)

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Serving Size: 6

Veggies:

6 Carrots

8 small Red Potatoes

2 large Onions

1 jar Beef Gravy

1/2 cup Ketchup

2 tablespoons A-1 Steak Sauce

3 tablespoons Hunts Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

Meatloaf: 

2-3 lbs. Ground Beef

1 large Onion, diced

1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

1/4 cup Ketchup

1/2 jar of your favorite Pasta Sauce ( try not to use a sauce with chunks of vegetables, Meat or flavored sauces are best)

3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1 large Egg

1 heaping tablespoon Garlic Powder

1 teaspoon Oregano

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peel carrots and cut them into 1 inch pieces on a bias (fancy word for cut them slanted). Wash the small red potatoes and cut them in half with the peel on. Peel and cut the onions into quarters. Place the vegetables into a large casserole dish or glass oven dish with a cover. Add the gravy, ketchup and BBQ sauce. Give the mixture a good stir. If the sauce is lower than the vegetables, then just add a bit more beef gravy until the sauce is even with the top of the vegetables. Cover and place on top rack of oven. This should be in the oven about 30 minutes prior to the meatloaf.

 In a large mixing bowl place ground beef, diced onion, bread crumbs, pepper, oregano and garlic powder. Add the egg, ketchup, pasta sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

Next and most important, remove any loose rings so that your guests don't win a prize while they are eating! Wash hands thoroughly and mix ingredients until all are completely incorporated and hold together like bread dough. This should only take a few minutes, do not over mix or you will dry the meatloaf out.

       

Place the mixture into a glass casserole dish, but do not use a bread baking pan or a deep dish. Pat the mixture down evenly until the meatloaf touches all sides of the dish. Pour some of the leftover Pasta Sauce over the top of the meatloaf until the top is completely coated.

        

By this time, the veggies should have been in the oven for about 30 minutes.  Place the meatloaf onto the middle rack of the oven.  Do not cover. Let the meatloaf and the vegetables cook for about an hour and a half,  depending on your oven.

       

Take the meatloaf and veggies out of the oven when done and let rest on stove top for about 10 minutes.  Now is the time to either make a nice garlic bread or warm an italian bread or a french stick.  When done, plate and serve!   

Submitted By:  Wally Norcross, EMT/Police Officer

Massachusetts, USA