Diner Meat Loaf

Dig into meat loaf like you find in your local diner, homemade and partnered with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean (at least 80%) ground beef
• 1 clove garlic or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 small onion
• 2 slices bread with crust
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup ketchup, chili sauce or barbecue sauce

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, break up the beef into small pieces, using a fork or spoon.
3. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Peel the onion, and chop enough of the onion into small pieces to measure 3 tablespoons. Wrap remaining piece of onion, and refrigerate for another use. Add the garlic and onion to the beef.
4. Tear the bread into small pieces and add to beef mixture.
5. Add the milk, Worcestershire sauce, sage, salt, mustard, pepper and egg to the beef mixture. Mix with a fork, large spoon or your hands until the ingredients are well mixed.
6. Place the beef mixture in an ungreased baking pan. Shape the mixture into an 8 x 4 inch loaf in the pan, then spread the ketchup over the top.
7. Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes until meat and juices are no longer pink or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf reads 160 degrees F and center of loaf is no longer pink.
8. Let the loaf stand for 5 minutes so it will be easier to remove from the pan.
9. Remove loaf from pan and cut into slices.

Notes

If you like bell pepper, onions, and celery in your meat loaf, you may find that it may remain pink even though the beef is cooked to 160 degrees F in the center. It's due to the natural nitrate content of these ingredients. So it is best to always check meat loaf with a thermometer to make sure it is thoroughly cooked. Cut a small slit near center of loaf; meat and juices should no longer be pink.

Substitution: Use ground turkey for the beef. Bake for about 60 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf reads 165 degrees F.

You can use 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs or 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats for the 2 slices bread. Just add it to the beef mixture.

Almost any size pan will work; just be sure the pan has sides to catch the juices that will accumulate while the meat loaf bakes.

Nutrition

Per serving: Calories 290 Calories from Fat 130), Total Fat 15g (Saturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 1g), Cholesterol 125mg; Sodium 560mg; Total Carbohydrate 15g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 7g), Protein 23g

Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Betty Crocker Kitchens