Best Meatloaf EVER

As a child, I hated Meatloaf.  A mountain of ground beef was not appealing to me.  I am over that fear since hearing from Miss Mango Hands that this recipe makes the BEST MEATLOAF EVER.

So, I did it. And I fell in love.  In fact, I'm making it today, so I can take pictures for Trying our Best's Recipe Blog Hop!  Amazing. Go hop over to her blog and check out all the amazing recipes!!


Without further ado, here is the recipe, modified from Miss Mango Hands' recipe!

Best Meatloaf EVER

Ingredients For the Meatloaf:

1 1/4 lb. ground beef

1 package crimini or baby bella mushrooms, stems removed and finely chopped

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), find it this is what makes it amazing!

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes or (a little less than 1/4 teaspoon) cayenne pepper, divided - half for meatloaf, half for sauce

1/2 cup tomato sauce

Ingredients For the Sauce:

1/2 cup tomato sauce

half of the hot pepper flakes or cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Instructions:

1) Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Add the mushrooms, onions 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, and half of red pepper flakes/cayenne pepper and cook until mushrooms have softened. Let it cool.

2) Dump the ground meat, eggs, panko, salt and pepper (to taste) in a large bowl.  Add mushroom mixture and add.  VERY GENTLY, using your fingers (yep, you gotta touch the meat), combine everything together (but don't you go squeezing the meat like crazy, because that makes for very tough icky meatloaf, the kind I used to despise!).  Dump all of this on a sheet pan, then form a loaf-like shape in the middle.  Cook for 30 minutes.

3) Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of tomato sauce with remaining hot pepper flakes in a small bowl.

4) Remove the loaf from the oven and cover the top with the tomato sauce mixture.  Cook for another 20 minutes.  Let it rest before you enjoy the BEST MEATLOAF EVER. 

Thanks Miss Mango Hands!

I'll take pictures tonight of my meatloaf!