Classic Meatloaf Recipe

This family loved classic meatloaf recipe is a delicious hearty meal, and is good hot and even as cold leftovers the next day.

Ingredients

1 pkg. stove top stuffing for chicken
OR
4 slices soft bread cubed/crumbed into small pieces and mixed with 1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoon margarine or butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef.
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
OR 2 teaspoons HP sauce and
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 whole garlic, break into segments and peel

Topping Sauce:
1/2 cup chili sauce with 1/2 cup ketchup
OR 1/2 cup BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup ketchup
OR a combination of all three (your choice)

Serves 8-10

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

If using stove top stuffing, using a mixing bowl, crush the pieces to make smaller and add 3/4 cup warm water to soften before adding to ground beef. Set aside.

If using 4 slices bread, use a mixing bowl to break apart into small pieces and add 1/2 cup milk to soften. Set aside.

Heat the margarine or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook a few minutes until tender and golden brown. Shut off and set aside.

Place the ground beef in a large bowl and break up into smaller pieces with a fork or with clean hands. Make an indent in the center of the meat and add softened stuffing or bread, sauteed onion, eggs, salt, pepper and soy sauce, OR, HP sauce and Worcestershire sauce for flavoring.

Mix together thoroughly so all ingredients are well distributed.

Turn out onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and shape into a loaf (about 3 3 1/2 inches thick) this will be a fairly large loaf.

Make the Topping Sauce by stirring together the combination of sauces you like in a small bowl.

Using a spoon spread sauce over the entire loaf Take your garlic segments and if they are large, slice them in half lengthwise and arrange them on top of the loaf, push the garlic into the top of the loaf so they are just showing.

Bake uncovered or 1 to 1/2 hours.

Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes then

cut into 3/4 inch slices.