Recipe Background
Simple Meatloaf shines with an unexpected touch of mustard; it's a moist, flavorful classic best enjoyed after a long day.
Back when I was a fresh-faced college graduate navigating the ups and downs of my first real job, I often found myself in need of comfort food after the long days at the office. My go-to was a meatloaf recipe passed down from my aunt. It began with a pound and a half of ground beef, which I learned to select carefully for just the right balance of fat and flavor. Those evenings, chopping onions in my tiny apartment kitchen became a form of therapy, their pungent aroma enveloping the space like a familiar hug.
Pairing the beef with a cup of milk and breadcrumbs always seemed a curious but magical alchemy. The result? A moist and tender slice that hit the spot after a hectic day. More than the physical act of cooking, it was the carefully mixed topping of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard that transformed the dish. I've leaned into using prepared mustard, sometimes trying different varieties for a twist, which adds a subtle zing that complements the sweetness perfectly.
Over time, I learned that letting the meatloaf rest after baking improved the texture dramatically, a small but crucial adjustment from clunky slices to picture-perfect ones. Sharing slices with my roommate and discussing our office tribulations over simple yet delectable plates of meatloaf became a cherished evening ritual. These quiet celebratory moments somehow made all those endless meetings and paper jams worthwhile.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup dried breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Combine the ground beef, the onion, the milk, the breadcrumbs, and the egg in a large bowl.
- Season the meat mixture with the salt and the pepper.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan.
- Mix the ketchup, the brown sugar, and the mustard together in a small bowl until well combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the meatloaf and spread it evenly over the top.
- Bake the meatloaf until no longer pink in the center and the meat is cooked to 160 degrees F internally, about 1 hour.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve.
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