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Nostalgia Meatloaf

BeefGastro-PubOven
Time :1 hour 25 minutes
Yield :6 servings
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Nostalgia Meatloaf brings back family dinner memories and helps perfect no-crumble slices.
Back during my first laid-back weekend after university, I found myself craving something comforting from the past. I decided to make a dish that reminded me of family dinners on chilly Fridays, the aroma of ground beef and spices wafting through the kitchen. My pantry, typically sparse post-college, miraculously had the essentials: breadcrumbs, eggs, and, thankfully, a bottle of Worcestershire sauce tucked behind the cereal. As I mixed everything with a generous dollop of ketchup, I realized the act of cooking was just as satisfying as the meal itself.
The kitchen was unusually quiet without the banter of roommates, so I leaned into the meditative rhythm of prepping. I find that mixing with my hands, though messy, yields the best blend of textures in the meatloaf. There's a certain joy in forming it into the loaf pan, lining it with parchment for easy lifting. Once the glaze of hot honey and ketchup was brushed on top, I covered it with foil to keep the flavors smoldering together—key tip I learned from observing my dad in our old kitchen.
When the meatloaf emerged from the oven, it required a good rest to reach perfection. I learned early on that allowing it to settle ensures a no-crumble slice. This quiet interlude allowed me to soak in the nostalgia, a reminder that cooking is not just about the flavors but the memories it rekindles. With every bite, I was transported back to those family feasts, felt through the familiar taste of celery salt and the gentle warmth of paprika.

Ingredients

For the meatloaf:

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon parsley

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup hot honey
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, the breadcrumbs, the milk, the eggs, the Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 cup of the ketchup.
  • Add the dried minced onion, the celery salt, the pepper, the paprika, and the parsley to the breadcrumb mixture and stir to combine.
  • Press the meat mixture into the prepared pan and flatten it out.
  • In a small bowl, combine the remaining ketchup, the honey, and the onion powder.
  • Pour the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
  • Cover the meatloaf with aluminum foil, place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes.
  • Discard the foil from the meatloaf and continue baking until it has reached an internal temperature of 155 degrees F, about 15-30 minutes.
  • Let the meatloaf rest until the meat has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 15 minutes.
  • Serve.
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