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Five-Star Meat Loaf

© Allison Huller McAlister

I’ve never been a huge fan of meat loaf. My mother used to make hers with carrots and celery in it, and I really didn’t care for it. My late father-in-law made his with onions, green peppers and mushrooms in it, and I liked it, though meat loaf still wasn’t one of my favorite meals. Well, now that I’ve found this scrumptious meat loaf recipe, call me a convert.

My husband has always liked meat loaf, so I was flattered when he described this one as the best meat loaf he’s ever had. There’s flavor bursting in every bite, not just around the edges where the sauce can usually be found. The meat was so moist, and the taste so sweet and yummy, that it was a clear five-star winner with us. I think meat loaf will be making a regular appearance on our dinner table from now on.

Of course, I had to serve mashed potatoes as a side dish to the meat loaf, because it’s a perfect accompaniment. We also enjoyed a vegetable blend of shoe peg corn and petite peas to round out the meal.

Try this one and let me know what you think of it. I hope your family loves it as much as mine did!

Have a good week and good eating!
Allison

Five-Star Meat Loaf

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. ground beef
¾ cup plain bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup mild salsa
1 (4.5-oz.) can chopped green chilies
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cilantro leaves
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. lemon juice

Preparation:
Heat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs and egg; mix well. In a medium bowl, combine all remaining ingredients; mix well. Add ¾ cup of the salsa mixture to meat mixture; mix well. In an ungreased 2-quart casserole or a 9x5-inch loaf pan, shape meat mixture into a loaf. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes. Remove meat loaf from oven. Spoon remaining salsa mixture over top of loaf. Return to oven; bake an additional 30 minutes or until thoroughly cooked in center and meat thermometer registers 160°F.