Not Your Mother's Meatloaf

We love meatloaf.  As a kid it was one of my favorite meals.  My mom always made it with baked potatoes and I do that also.  If it is in season I will steam some banana squash to go with it.  So. Dang. Good.  This is on my list of my top 5 favorite meals.  It is so easy to make.  It is pretty kid-friendly as the veggies are small and easily hidden.  

Meatloaf

1 lb ground beef

1 c finely diced carrots

1/2 c finely diced onions

1 egg

1/2 c quick oats

1 t salt

1/2 t pepper

Preheat oven to 350* and grease a loaf pan

Mix all and place in loaf pan.  (I mix it with my hands.)

Topping:

1/2 c ketchup

3 T brown sugar

2 T mustard

Combine and spread on top of meatloaf

Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes.

Notes:

I have discovered that I prefer this made in a dark coated nonstick loaf pan.  They are inexpensive at Walmart. It makes the meat crisp up a little.  

I always use extra lean ground beef.  This makes your meals a little more dry, but I like this that way.  Otherwise it is a little greasy.

I put the carrots and onions in my little electric chopper and pulse it until they are very finely chopped.

This freezes well.  Make your meatloaf without the topping.  Place in foil loaf pan and freeze.

Add topping to thawed meatloaf and cook as directed.

I always put the potatoes in the oven and then make the meatloaf and put it in 15 minutes later.