Favorite Meat Loaf Recipes

Crock Pot Or Oven Meatloaf

2 lbs. lean ground beef
2 eggs
2/3 c. Quaker Oats
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1/2 c. catsup or barbecue sauce

Reserve 2 tablespoons catsup. Combine beef, eggs, oats, soup mix and remaining catsup. Shape into a round loaf for crock pot or  oblong for oven. Put into crock pot. Top with remaining catsup. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours or 350 degree oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cover with foil if  browning too fast. This slices very well for sandwiches the next day.
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Meatloaf With Sweet and Sour Sauce

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. cider vinegar
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 onion, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/4 c. Italian seasoned bread crumbs or crushed crackers
2 lbs. ground sirloin
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

In a saucepan mix tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Set aside. Take onion, celery, green pepper and  1 tablespoon water; put in bowl. Put Saran wrap over them and put in microwave to soften. Combine egg with vegetables (celery, onion, green pepper), crackers, salt, black pepper, meat and 1/2 cup tomato sauce mixture. Mix thoroughly. Shape into loaf. Put into baking dish and pour remaining tomato sauce mixture over meatloaf. Bake 350 degrees covered  for 1 hour. Baste occasionally. If sauce thickens, add 1/4 cup water to sauce. Serve sauce separate.
Serves 6.
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Tip to Help You eat more grains
Use whole-grain bread or cracker crumbs in meatloaf.

Meatloaf With Sauce

1 slice bread, torn into sm. pieces or 1/2 c. bread crumbs, oatmeal or crushed cornflakes
1 sm. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. grated carrots
1 egg, beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper
1 1/2 lb. ground beef or 1 1/2 lb. ground turkey

Sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tsp. Mustard
1/2 tsp. Paprika

Mix bread crumbs, onion, celery, grated carrots, egg, garlic, salt, pepper and ground beef; mix well. Place in loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1-1 1/2 hours. To prepare sauce: Mix brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and paprika; pour over meat loaf during last half hour of cooking.
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From what cuts of beef are ground beef and hamburger made?
Generally, ground beef is made from the less tender and less popular cuts of beef. Trimmings from more tender cuts may also be used. Grinding tenderizes the meat and the fat reduces its dryness and improves flavor.
Source: USDA

Susie's Cheese Bacon Meatloaf

2 lbs. ground sirloin or ground round
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, I purchase it that way
1 large egg plus catsup for both to equal 1 cup
1/2 cup onion, chopped
salt & pepper to taste
1 to 2 tablespoons Hormel 50% fat free bacon pieces in the jar
1/2 to 1 cup sharp cheese

In a large bowl put the ground meat, bread crumbs, onion, salt, pepper, bacon and cheese. Put the egg and measure the catsup to equal 1 cup. Then beat this mixture together and pour over the other ingredients and mix well. Put this in a large loaf pan and cook at 350F for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Most do this step or it will fall apart. Then tent foil over pan and rest for 15 minutes. Depending on the thickness of the slices you can get 6 to 10 or more slices per pan.
Submitted by Susie Indy
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What is the best way to thaw ground beef?
The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting is essential to prevent growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze within 1 or 2 days.

To defrost ground beef more rapidly, you can defrost in the microwave oven or in cold water. If using the microwave, cook the ground beef immediately because some areas may begin to cook during the defrosting. To defrost in cold water, put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately. Do not refreeze raw ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven unless you cook it first.

Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour at 90 °F and above).
Source: USDA

Wonderful Meatloaf

1 pound ground beef
3/4 cup cooked rice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine the beef, rice, brown sugar, onion and 1 tablespoon ketchup. Mix well and place in a 5x9 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Spread remaining 1/2 cup ketchup over the top of the loaf. Bake for 15 more minutes.
By Annie Lott
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What's the difference between "hamburger" and "ground beef"?
Beef fat may be added to "hamburger," but not "ground beef." A maximum of 30% fat is allowed in either hamburger or ground beef. Both hamburger and ground beef can have seasonings, but no water, phosphates, extenders, or binders added. The labeling of meat food products must comply with the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the meat inspection regulations and labeling policies.

Most states and cities set standards for store-packaged ground beef which, by law, cannot be less than Federal standards. If products in retail stores were found to contain more than 30% fat, they would be considered "misbranded" under Federal law.
Source: USDA