Instructions:
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, mustard, catsup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped onions, minced garlic cloves, beaten eggs, salt and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Shape the Meatloaf: Gently press down on mixture in loaf pan shaping into loaf.
Prepare the Topping: Mix together ketchup mustard brown sugar in small bowl for topping glaze.
Apply Topping: Generously spread top of meatloaf with topping glaze.
Bake: Place loaf pan in preheated oven for sixty to seventy-five minutes or until meatloaf is thoroughly cooked and top is golden brown.
Rest and serve: remove meatloaf from oven and let it take a break for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing it up and serving.
Hints for success:
Use lean ground beef to minimize the amount of grease in the recipe.
Be careful not to overmix the meatloaf mixture so as to have a tender, soft texture.
After baking, allow the loaf to sit thus enabling flavor and texture development through juice redistribution.
Health benefits:
Ground beef is packed with proteins plus essential nutrients such as iron and zinc.
Bacon and cheese are included for their taste; however these can be altered based on individual nutritional preferences.
Nutritional information (per serving)
Calories – 350
Total fat – 20g
Saturated fat – 8g
Cholesterol – 130mg
Sodium -700mg
Total carbohydrates-12g
Dietary fiber-1g
Sugars-5 g
Protein-28g
Variations and Substitutions:
You can replace beef with ground turkey or chicken which is lighter. Different kinds of cheese like mozzarella, Monterey Jack or Swiss that you can try. Include diced vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms etc. so that there is an increased amount of nutrition value along with flavoring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can I make this meatloaf ahead of time?
Yes, one can prepare the meatloaf mixture in advance then refrigerate until when necessary for cooking. Just increase by few minutes if you bake from refrigerator.
Can I put leftovers in the freezer?
Absolutely! After cooling, cut into slices and wrap tightly in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil before storing it in your freezer for later use. Once thawed, heat covered in a preheated oven.
Conclusion:
This Classic Meatloaf recipe gives us a lot to remember: nostalgia, taste, simplicity. It is an all-time classic that brings the joy of eating together. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or lazy family dinners, as it involves simple procedures and uses ingredients that can be easily adjusted to suit different preferences and dietary requirements. Furthermore, it can be tailored to fit various tastes and health conscious needs hence it is evident that this Classic Meatloaf will soon become every person’s favorite meal when they crave something filling and delicious that they can prepare at home for their families!
