Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce

Classic meatloaf with Tomato Sauce
Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce

Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce

Sue Lau |  Palatable Pastime

I think meatloaf must be  the quintessential comfort food dish. Everyone has a Mom who was famous for it, and there must be as  many fabulous recipes as there are moms. Usually the mainstream meatloaf comes down to meatloaf with either 1) gravy 2) barbecue sauce or 3) tomato sauce. I happen to like all three.

The loaf with the gravy demands to be served with mashed potatoes, but with the others I am also fond of serving it with macaroni and cheese or a gratin of potatoes. So it really all comes down to your mood. Served with a simple vegetable side or tossed salad, it is a good home-cooked meal.

The base on this one is one that I prefer. I find cracker crumbs too tight and using the fresh bread crumbs really does give a tender texture. I have made meatloaf this way since I can remember.

The tomato sauce on this is one of Bill’s favorites. We really love this for a standard tomato sauced meatloaf, but the beauty of it is, you can leave that off and top it with beef gravy or barbecue sauce when you find the loaf is one you love. Bake the barbecue sauce on in a similar fashion, but gravy can just be poured at the table so it does not get a skin to it.

I do hope you enjoy the recipe and return to it time and again when you want something with the feel of home.

~Sue

Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce

  • Servings: 7-8
  • Difficulty: easy
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Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce
Yield: Makes 7-8 slices

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dry thyme
  • salt and black pepper
  • 3-1/2 ounces soft fresh bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup milk

Tomato Sauce:

  • 3/4 cup chili sauce (tomato based, such as Heinz)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
  2. Saute onions in olive oil until they are soft and lightly browned.
  3. Pulse bread in a food processor until it forms soft crumbs (I used four slices of white bread; amount may vary due to type and brand)
  4. Place beef, onions, garlic, eggs, Worcestershire, mustard, thyme, salt and black pepper in a food processor and mix on med-low until combined.
  5. Add in bread crumbs and milk and mix until it incorporates evenly.
  6. Line a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil (easier cleanup, preserves pans).
  7. Place meat mixture on the foil and form it into a compact loaf.
  8. Stir together the ingredients for the sauce and spread 1/4 cup sauce onto the top of the raw loaf.
  9. Place pan in oven and bake 45 minutes.
  10. After 45 minutes, add half the remaining sauce to the top and bake 15 minutes more, then add the last of the sauce and bake for another 20-30 minutes or until your meat thermometer reads 160ºF in the center of the meat.
  11. Allow loaf to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

From the kitchen of palatablepastime.com


Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce

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6 responses

  1. I love meatloaf. I make it the same way my mother did years ago- the recipe is right off the Quaker Oats box. However, I think I’ll try this recipe when it cools down here in California. I am looking forward to trying the tomato sauce since I only have used ketchup on the top.

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