by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: August 24, 2009

Lots of people do not like meatloaf and I believe it is because of the recipe they have tried. Meatloaf needs to be flavorful, not too bland. Your hamburger needs to be fairly well seasoned and for more flavor not made with the leanest hamburger. It can still be good without following those rules, but is much better when you follow that advice.This is how to make a darn good basic meatloaf.

1/ I use olive or canola oil to saute the onion, green pepper, and celery for a few minutes. Although I cook this to make it a bit tenderer; this is more to give it flavor than to soften.

2/ In a large bowl, mix 3 lbs of hamburger either 75/25 or 80/20, with two whole eggs, and bread crumbs. Use more bread crumbs if you need to firm it up. I am a cook who does not measure everything unless baking or the recipe is new.

3/ Add the chopped onion, green pepper, and sliced celery.

4/ Season the meatloaf mixture with the black pepper, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning for a flavorful loaf. Adjust measurements of seasonings to taste. I really like more than I'm recommending here, but seasoning is one of those personal tastes.

5/ Form into a loaf and place in a glass or metal loaf pan.

6/ Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour. Your meatloaf should be firm, but still moist when done. My family always likes when the edges get just a bit hard since it gives it a crusty taste.

You can substitute oatmeal for the bread crumbs. You can add tomato sauce in the meatloaf itself instead or eggs. This makes a more moist and soft meatloaf. For a variation use tomato sauce on top or even pureed tomatoes.

This is good served with brown gravy and sliced mushrooms, also if you do not use the tomato sauce.

You should get 10 to 12 slices out of this. It does not always slice as pretty as it should, but the taste makes up for that problem.

My traditional tastes usually mean I serve this with parsley potatoes, green beans, and bread and butter. It is a stick to your ribs meal.

Ingredient List:

1 small onion (chopped fairly small)

a medium green pepper (chopped small also)

2 ribs or celery (sliced very thin)

3lbs of hamburger (75/25 or 80/20) not any leaner

1 cup of soft bread crumbs (more if needed to make firm)

2 whole beaten eggs

1 tsp of Italian Seasoning

1 tsp. of garlic salt

1/8 tsp of black pepper (best if freshly ground)

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