Moist, Easy Meat Loaf
I fess up. I used to buy those powdered French onion dip mixes back in the 70s, add a little sour cream, throw some potato chips in a bowl and serve that at parties. Alright, so bruschetta and guacamole have taken center stage these days, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a nostalgic yen for those chips and dips of yore. Still, I stay away from processed foods, so those powdered chemical concoctions don’t entice me. Except the other day I was in my local health food store, and a table with free samples of chips and dip were just sitting there, begging me to try some. One dip and one chip and before you know it, I was paying for a package of the stuff at the cashier. It was an organic mix, mind you, but still, knowing my addiction to chips, and all those calories from the sour cream I’d need to make the dip, I figured my hips would thank me if I came up with a different plan for that package.
Then another idea from the past came to mind – meat loaf – a hearty meal for these snowy days that never seem to end. I remembered making meat loaf years ago using oatmeal and those packaged soup mixes too, and they added lots of flavor. Now with the organic soup mix, I could do it without adding artificial ingredients.
Bake it in a loaf pan or shape it into individual portions. Halfway through baking, top it off with a mixture of ketchup and brown sugar. I forgot to smear it over the top until about 15 minutes before removing it from the oven. But if you do remember to do it earlier, say a half hour to 45 minutes before the meat loaf is done, you’ll get more of a caramelization of the sugar on top that’s hard to resist. Line your loaf pan with some aluminum foil to help remove it from the pan when it’s done.
And serve up a moist, flavorful meat loaf – good for sandwiches the next day too. For an Italian version of meat loaf, click here for my friend Alessandra’s recipe.
Lest you think we Easterners are tired of the snow (well, it has been a lot of shoveling and commuting problems for some), there have been some benefits too, like cozying up by the fire, cooking up a pot of soup, or building a snow lady who’s dreaming of warmer climes. Find the positive, people. It’s there.
Moist, Easy Meat Loaf
2 lbs. ground meat (I use a combination of veal, beef and pork)
1 package of onion soup mix
3/4 cup oatmeal (I use the quick 1 minute-cooking oats)
2 eggs, beaten lightly
1 cup tomato sauce (or tomato juice)
salt and pepper to taste
topping
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
Mix all the meat loaf ingredients thoroughly together in a bowl. Press into a loaf pan that’s been lined with foil. Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours, and halfway through add the topping, by mixing together the ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl, then smearing over the top.
Let the meat loaf rest about 10 minutes after baking, for easier slicing.
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Very moist indeed! A wonderful meatloaf.
I love you snow lady!
Cheers,
Rosa
I remember using those packets back in the 70's along with other not so healthy things I cooked with often, like Velveta,canned cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery and dare I say Hamburger Helper!Thank goodness my family survived all that! I love your snow girl! I heard birds chirping outside today, Yay!
Oh, but I do remember that French onion dip from the 70's. Honestly, I loved it. No lies here! I bet the meatloaf is great, and I think that quick, no0hassle dishes like this, that are tasty have a place on everyone's table.
Your Snow Woman rocks the drifts! That made me laugh. I hope the weather has softened up a bit on you guys.
polpettoni e polpette sono tra i miei piatti preferiti,insieme ad un'insalata è un pasto perfetto !
I haven't made meatloaf in ages, but yours looks so good, Linda, that I might need to make one of my own very soon! I love the snow woman–she wears that bathing suit very well! 🙂
Hard to beat meatloaf to bring back those childhood memories. And, full disclosure: I still sometime make myself sour cream and onion soup dip… It's the one and only 'junk food' that I crave. Even if I usually regret it afterwards. ;=)
The bikini snow woman is a hoot! Would you believe that my #1 most viewed recipe (like over 2 million hits) is meat loaf? What's up with that? I'm with you on the onion soup mix, and I've made meatloaf with it. You're so right, in that it adds great flavor. The other meatloaf I used to make is with a can of cream of mushroom soup and oatmeal… as I recall it was fabulous. But, I don't canned cream soup any longer. Your meat mixture guarantees a delicious meat loaf. I sure hope the snow eases up for you. Otherwise, fly west. We have a drought, but plenty of sunshine.
I remember reading that meatloaf is a favorite of Ruth Reichl's. I bet she'd go for yours, Linda. (I fess up — I still have a soup mix in my cupboard!)
This was delicious and made a great Monday night dinner. I used the regular oats because I had them. I formed the meatloaf earlier in the day and put in the fridge. I think it brought all the flavors/opinion soup mix together. Sandwiches will be great tomorrow. Thanks Linda.
We make meatloaf in huge batches just like we do with our tomato and meat sauces; and even though they're great for colder weather we can nuke them for sammies year round. I've never thought of adding the onion soup, but it must give an outstanding additional flavor amp to a regular meatloaf! Great idea! Happy 4th Linda!
xo
Roz