Crazy Meat Loaf

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups soft bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Cook mixed vegetables for 5 minutes in boiling salted water; drain.
2. Melt butter in skillet; add onion and cook until tender but not brown. Add bread crumbs, parsley, 1/4 teaspoon salt, thyme and 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce.
3. Combine egg, milk, remaining salt, basil and remaining Tabasco sauce a in mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of bread crumb mixture to egg mixture; mix well. Gently blend ground chuck into bread crumb-egg mixture. Handle as little as possible for more tender meat. Gently press all but 2 cups of meat mixture over bottom and three-fourths up the sides of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, leaving center hollow.
4. Combine remaining bread crumb mixture with mixed vegetables and grated cheese; turn into hollow space in loaf pan. Cover with remaining meat mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.
6. Let stand for 10 minutes before turning out onto serving platter.

Serve with cheese sauce, if desired.