It seems that meatloaf is something that even good cooks have a problem getting quite right at times. I am not sure why, but it can turn out really bad. This meatloaf recipe is my sister in law's and she undoubtedly makes the best meatloaf I have ever eaten. She says she got this recipe way back in her home economics class ( remember when they still taught home ec). I have modified it just a little, but not much, because you just don't mess with perfection. Meatloaf is one of my father's favorite things, so I made this for his 82nd birthday dinner!
This is something that requires key ingredients to turn out just right so I will specify those. One of them is ground chuck. Do not use ground beef, ground sirloin, or ground round. The first will be too greasy and the last two will be too dry. Ground chuck is 80/20 lean to fat ratio and that is just perfect. It is also made from the better cuts of beef and the taste is superior to ground beef. The other ingredient that I added to this and it makes the meatloaf so good is the can of Hunt's Meatloaf Fixins. It's on the aisle with the canned tomatoes and tomato sauce and such. It has the seasonings like green pepper and onion in it blended well so you don't need to add the raw vegetables to the meatloaf. I hate meatloaf with big chunks of onion or green pepper in it. I think that is what turns people off about meatloaf.
Here is everything you will need:
2 lbs. ground chuck, 1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs or you can use quick cooking oats, 2 eggs, 1 can Hunts Meatloaf Fixins, brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Nature's Seasoning or salt and pepper.
Mix the eggs, beef, bread crumbs or oats, 1/2 can of the Hunts Meatloaf Sauce, 1/2 tsp seasoning salt, 1/2 tsp. Nature's Seasoning, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
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Once it is mixed well, divide in half and shape in two equal size loaves. You can make one big meatloaf but two smaller ones cook faster and you get more of the sauce on each slice. This is one of my sister in law's tips that makes the meatloaf more tasty. Place them in a dish sprayed with cooking spray or lined with foil. Sprinkle the tops with seasoning salt and Nature's Seasoning lightly. Place in a preheated 375 degree oven for 45 minutes.
Mix the other half of the can of Hunts Meatloaf Fixins, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup ketchup, dash of Tabasco to your taste, 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp. yellow mustard. After the meatloaf cooks for 45 minutes, pour this sauce over the top making sure it is all covered and put back in for 15 minutes.
Take meatloaf out after 1 hour and spoon the sauce from the pan over the top. After about 5 minutes, slice to serve.
Even people who say they do not like meatloaf will like it after they eat this one!
Ingredients:
2lbs. ground chuck
1 can Hunts Seasoned Tomato Sauce for Meatloaf
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs or quick cooking oats (my sister in law uses the oats)
1 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. Nature's Seasoning or salt and pepper
dash of Tabasco sauce
1 tsp. yellow mustard
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
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DeleteI am 53 years old from Memphis and meat loaf is not meatloaf without the brown sugar. The tomato paste style topping some people use is as bitter as can be. I enjoy your recipes very much.
DeleteWhat do you mean "after an hour" put sauce on and slice. I've been CRAVING Meatloaf for about a week!!! Mine is GOOD, but I want to try yours!!
DeleteIf you've never tried it with the brown sugar, may I suggest you make two loafs from this recipe, one with the sugar and one without. You may be surprised how much you like it. It's not really sweet sweet, more tangy sweet. You can also turn the broiler on for just a little bit and caramelize the topping a little, really good! This recipe is a little different from mine, excited to try this one!
DeleteI LIVE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF OHIO AND WE ONLY ADD THE BROWN SUGAR ON THE TOP SAUCE.
DeleteI don't believe she added brown sugar to the meat portion of the recipe... I only saw the brown sugar in the sauce recipe.
DeleteYes, that is right.
DeleteLooks really good, but I have to watch my sugar intake, and my husband has to watch his salt intake. . . I'll try to pull a few ideas from this recipe. . . none-the-less. . .
DeleteLove it ! First meatloaf besides my moms I will eat because I don't like chunks if peppers or onions in it .
ReplyDeleteneither do I .. I don't care for the peppers in it , but would love the onions in it. but my hubby is allergic to onions. But this sounds really good gonna have to try this receipt.
DeleteThis is the best meatloaf I have ever eaten . I also don't like big chunks of onion or peppers un my meatloaf , and that has put me off most of them until I came across this one .
ReplyDeleteIf you can't find (or prefer not to use) the meatloaf fixin's stuff you could probably cook the onions and peppers and any other vegetables you want in a bit of oil and then blend them up with tomato sauce or ketchup and still not have the chunks. I am not putting down using it, just saying that since I put up most of my own stuff like tomatoes and tomato sauce and even ketchup, this would probably work well.
DeleteI slice Onions and put them all over the Top of the Meatloaf..Then you can remove them but still get the flavor while cooking.
DeleteI would probably do that since I use home canned tomatoes and they make everything better and it would be really easy to do. I keep peppers, onions, and celery chopped in the freezer ready to go when I see a good recipe that needs them. BTW...we get all our peppers at Aldi's for about half the cost at other stores.
DeleteThis sounds really good. However, I love onions in my meatloaf. I saute' them along with finely minced carrots, and add this to meat loaf. But I am going to try this one!!
DeleteI no longer use rolled oats in my meatloaf, as the oats create a slimy texture to the meatloaf. Bread crumbs give a much more pleasing texture.
DeleteI use Captain Wafers.
DeleteThank you for the recipe, it's delish. I added bacon to the top of my meatloaf and then spread the brown sugar over the bacon. It was delicious also. Thanks again for your wonderful recipes, I'm trying as many as I can.
DeleteTHE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it.
DeleteSounds great, I will be trying it. I also use the brown sugar, in fact I use it in a lot of savory dishes and have never had a complaint. I make a similar topping sauce but I use chili sauce instead of ketchup, but I like the idea of Tabasco to spice it up a bit. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try. This is almost like my meatloaf, but I've not tried the Hunt's. Sounds perfect. I hate it when I'm ready to make a meatloaf and don't have the bell pepper! I agree that it will not be as good without the brown sugar. I've always added brown sugar to the sauce. It really makes a huge difference! I'm going to make sure I use ground chuck too. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteLooks nummy
ReplyDeleteI don't care for meatloaf....never have but I am willing to give this one a shot...
ReplyDeleteYou will love it..
DeleteIn Texas, we use just a little granulated sugar in our mashed potatoes....makes them tastier!
ReplyDeleteFrom Texas too... Never heard of that but willing to try.
DeleteThis Texan by birth never heard of it either.Not putting it down though.A little sugar never hurt anything!
DeleteOriginally from Ohio here and my mother has ALWAYS added just a little sugar to her mashed potatoes!
DeleteAnd I use mayonnaise in my mashed potatoes with a very little butter and a little milk...makes them richer.
Deletethis recipe sounds very delicious; I do plan to try it soon! The brown sugar is used in alot of meatloaf recipes as a part of the sauce that you top it with while baking and makes it taste so very yummy-not too sweet. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis recipe sounds delish...I agree with the brown sugar...I even add it to my chili and everyone raves about it!
ReplyDeleteI do too. Makes the chili much better. I learned that about 7 years ago. What a difference it makes..
DeleteThis was awesome!!!:
ReplyDeleteCouldn't find the Meatloaf Fixins so just substituted.
I don't like meat with a sweet taste either. My family likes my meat loaf but it seems to dry for me. I like small hunks of bell pepper and onion. But I think I will try this recipe. We just might like it. Won't know till I give it a try. If I don't like it I can just stick with my old way.
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ReplyDeleteI've used Brown Sugar in Chili too! I think it takes the edge off the tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteExcellent !!
ReplyDeleteMaking it this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI have a recipe like this one from an old church recipe book. It is called BBQ Meatloaf. It is yummy!!!
ReplyDeleterice is another great filler--instead of cracker or bread crumbs or oats. My mom always used rice instead & it's yummy!
ReplyDeleteAnd that would be what most people I know use to stuff green peppers, Linda.(the rice instead of crumbs)
DeleteYUM!!!!
I use rice crispy (cereal) in my meat loaf. I like it better than crackers, oats, or bread crumbs... works really well...
DeleteYes on the Brown Sugar and in the south sugar goes in most things!! If you're not using it it probably doesn't taste like your mom's or grandmother's did!
ReplyDeleteOMG Did not know that about ground beef!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't use brown sugar. I don't like the sweetness in my meatloaf. But enjoy of you do.
ReplyDeleteVery similar to what I make now... do yourself a favor and use the oats. What a great meatloaf!
ReplyDeleteTo Danna: I'm from Texas too and I have never heard of putting sugar in mashed potatoes. I don't think I will even try that one.
ReplyDeleteJust a pinch or two of sugar. It is good b
DeleteTry venison; which is very lean , no fat at all.
ReplyDeleteI don't like green peppers, does the Hunt's meatloaf fixins have a strong pepper flavor?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious. So want to try this weekend!
ReplyDeleteTexas here also. I agree with Sue! No sugar in potatoes. I want my potatoes to taste like potatoes, not sweet. Not gonna try that one. I use a small amount in my cornbread, but not enough to make it sweet.
ReplyDeleteI do use brown sugar in the sauce on top of my meatloaf. Also, cut the amount of ketchup and add little Bold A1 and med hot salsa.
If you don't like chunky peppers and onions, like I do, then grate it into your meat. You get plenty of flavor without the chunks. =)
Try a heaping spoonful of Hellmans Mayo instead. yummy
DeleteI have always made 2 loaves, one gets the savory tomato topping and the other gets Cream of Mushroom soup....everyone loves it, even my Dad that says he hates mushrooms!!
ReplyDeleteI also will not make my meat loaf with out green bell pepper and onions, of course!! Your recipe sounds wonderful...I also put brown sugar in the glaze on top of mine.
ReplyDeleteI got this recipe from my husband's grandmother 45 years ago. I always use the oatmeal and love the texture it gives. I haven't tried the meatloaf sauce, but will look for it in my grocery store. I don't use bell pepper and have never had big chunks of onion in my meatloaf. I almost always caramelize onion before adding it to any recipe.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been married 14 years and meatloaf is one of his favorite meals. Over the years I have been trying to make the very best meatloaf ( like mama used to make lol )
ReplyDeleteWell I fixed this one for him and he loved it. Thank you I have finally found a recipe that meets his total approval and he didn't have to drag out the BBQ sauce lol
I so glad your husband enjoyed the meatloaf. My husband didn't even eat meatloaf until I started making this one, now he loves it.
ReplyDeleteI've been cooking with my Mom since I was about 8 years old (1963) and this was always my favorite meal to make because everyone liked it - but me. I hate green peppers but they are of course one of my husband's favorites. Mom never variated from her recipe, right down to the tomato sauce on top. Shutter...but as a newlywed in 1977 I tried something new. I used oats instead of her stale bread - and I added a cup of applesauce and some A-1. I used a muffin tin instead of the loaf pans Mom used - and put green peppers in just 6 of the mini-meatloaves. He loved them, I adored them - and especially that everyone essentially got a crunchy end. My three sons still ask me to make them when they visit! But I will try this recipe, making mine without the Hunt's green pepper sauce. Thanks for a new spin on an old standby and if anyone wants to try my version, I'd love to hear how you liked the applesauce. clairesel at a o l dot c o m.
ReplyDeletesounds great! I'm from Georgia and do love the pieces of onions and peppers in mine, though...in my family we always used ketchup on top mixed with the brown sugar...I know, I know...yes it's sweet on top!
ReplyDeleteI live in the UK, and we don't have Hunts Meatloaf Fixins. What can I substitute this with?
ReplyDeleteI live in the UK, and we don't have Hunts Meatloaf Fixins. What can I substitute this with?
ReplyDeleteThe Hunt's can I bought said "for Meatloaf." It was right next to the other various canned tomato paste, sauce, diced, etc. Its basically a seasoned tomato sauce with onions, peppers, etc. already in it. If this was the wrong thing, I'm sticking with it anyway. The meatloaf turned out great.
DeleteTrying to eat healthier, can this be made with ground Turkey or Chicken? What adjustments should be made?
ReplyDeleteTrying to healthier this year. Can this be made with ground Turkey or Chicken? What adjustment need to be made?
ReplyDeleteTried this recipe last night for my husband and a sister who was visiting. It was the best meatloaf I have ever had. The only thing I will change is the sauce was too sweet for us. I have a bad sweet tooth, but it was even too sweet for me. Next time, and there will be many next times....I will add about 2 - 3 Tablespoons of brown sugar instead of the cup it calls for, and it should be perfect. Thanks for the great recipes!
ReplyDeleteYou took my comments right out of my mouth. The sauce was a little too sweet, so I will cut down on the brown sugar next time. Otherwise, I've never had better meatloaf!
DeleteMy mother would make meatloaf every week when I was a kid. My father would take leftover slices in sandwich form for lunch the next couple of days. She used oats, ketchup, big chunks of green pepper, occasionally she'd add tomato soup, and always slices of orange American cheese. Yuck! Sorry Mum, but that was not one of my favorites! It pretty much put me off meatloaf for life. However, after reading this recipe, I may just try it and find out what my kids think of it. Well, really what I think of it...it's only been about 30 plus years since I last tried some :)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying it tomorrow. I love meatloaf but hubby isn't the biggest fan. He will eat it so hopping this will change him over so I can make it more ofter. we will see tomorrow. Not to sure about that Tabasco sauce not a fan of having spicy so may not use that but have everything else. Getting ready to mix it al1 up and have it ready in the fridge to pop in the oven tomorrow. He works swings so he eats between noon and 1pm.
ReplyDeleteI made this Meatloaf tonight for dinner and it was fabulous! My picky 12 year old even loved it......2 thumbs up on another one of your great recipes!
ReplyDeleteAlhough I have NEVER heard of using brown sugar in meat loaf -it works for me ! lol (LOVE brown sugar)
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the idea of NO tomatoes or tomato sauce and ESPECIALLY -NO KETCHUP lol !!!
About the onions and peppers, though-I never had any complaints about those in my recipe because I FINELY chopped (or sometimes minced in food processor)and either sauted in butter or cooked in water(draining and saving the liquid for a soup or casserole later in the week). I had to do this for almost all my recipes(like dressing) using those ingredients(and celery) because most of my family didn't like the "chunks" either. :( I bet this would be good with mushrooms added :) yummmy:)
This also sounds like a great recipe for "Mock Steaks" ! It is basically the same except that the bread crumbs are put in scalded milk until milk is absorbed before adding to meat mixture and then shaped out into smaller individual "loaves".
Another tip I was given was to use the dry onion soup mix for recipes like this (for those who don't use bell peppers-at all-this might be good:))
Man! This is making me hungry ! lol
I add 1/2 cup milk to the recipe. No tomato paste just Hunts ketchup and brown sugar.
ReplyDeleteIF YOU SAUTE YOUR BELL PEPPERS AND ONIONS FIRST BEFORE YOU ADD THEM TO THE MEAT MIXTURE YOU WILL NEVER NO THEY ARE IN THERE. I DO THIS AND MY KIDS LOVE THE MEATLOAF .
ReplyDeleteTry using salsa instead of peppers & onions, they are smaller & taste so much better
ReplyDeleteThank you, for sharing...looks yummy <3 :)
ReplyDeleteI tried this last nite, very good but a lil sweet. Im going to increase the Hunts Meatloaf Fixins and decrease the brown sugar. It didnt specify dark or light brown sugar, which is better, or does it make a difference?
ReplyDeleteI'm a southern boy, lower coastal. To me the trick to meatloaf is a good dinner or supper and then a great sandwich a day or two later. Lots of recipes are the same, but one flaw that hurts all is to let a crust build up at the edges. Heartburn city and we ain't talking an Elvis tune.
ReplyDeleteSince this recipe makes 2 meatloaves, could one be frozen? Would you bake it before freezing or after? What about the sauce?
ReplyDeleteI use 1 box of stuffing and 1 egg per pound of meat and about 1 cup of ketchup. Then on top I do ketchup and brown sugar... super easy and yummy!!!
ReplyDeletebest meatloaf ever
ReplyDeleteI bake my meatloaf on a broiling pan so meat doesn't sit in the grease
ReplyDeleteI sub sweet baby rays bbq sauce (any flavor I have) for ketchup. Also on the sugar in stuff I use a lil sugar in spaghetti sauce and chili for years really cuts that acid taste from tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteI wanna try but a whole cup of sugar & ketchup would be adding sugar on top of sugar cause ketchup already has alot of sugar in it. I have tried onion soup & its works well(don't like bell pepper at all). I will put brown sugar to taste & no hot sauce.
ReplyDeleteMy recipe is much like this. It calls for oats and a cup of tomato juice in place of the meatloaf fixins. I always spoon out the grease before putting the topping on. It is also important not to touch it with your hands too much or it takes on a bad texture.
ReplyDeleteMaking this tonight for a very special fella. Can't wait to taste it! He told me he really likes meatloaf, so I wanted to find ! I was able to find the meatloaf fixins at my Memphis area Kroger on the lower shelves under the area with all the seasonings packets. It wasn't located in with the canned vegetables/tomatoes. Hope this helps someone!
ReplyDeleteIn the summer time I cook meatloaf on the grill over indirect heat and add some strips of bacon to the top. Delicious and no need to heat up the oven!
ReplyDeleteFor those who don't like big chunks of onion or peppers try chopping them fine in your food processor, that's what I do.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've ever heard of the Hunt's meatloaf fixings but I'm going to look for it. Thanks for the tip about where it's located at Kroger.
ReplyDeleteNever expected to use fabulous and meatloaf in the same sentence. Husband is still raving that it was amazing. Found Hunts meatloaf seasoning sauce in whole canned tomato section at Lowe's Foods. Considering hoarding multi year supply lest it be discontinued. Yum! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen or used Hunt's Meatloaf Fixins; what's in it?
ReplyDeleteChris - ctmom05@yahoo.com
Sounds great,but I would make it with ground turkey, pork & chicken.
ReplyDeleteYOU AN USE TURKEY---OR A MIXTURE OF MEATS-----------------------I PUT PLENTY OF CHOPPED FRESH GARLIC AND ONION IN MINE ALSO----IF U DO NOT CARE FOR GREEN PEPPER U CAN USE FINELY CHOPPED CELERY---------JUST SAW THIS RECIPE AND I HAVE BEEN WANTING MEATLOAF FOR 2 WEEKS------I GUESS I WILL MAKE IT THIS WEEKEND------
ReplyDeleteLike meatloaf, but never could get mine to turn out. Will try this.
ReplyDeleteYumm-meee!! This sounds/looks delicious!! And the two loaves is a perfect idea! Putting this in my bookmarks RIGHT NOW!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in the north by a southern mom.. We put a little brown sugar in the meatloaf and in the sauce on top.. So so yummy! This recipe sounds good, too!
ReplyDeleteI can't find Hunt's Meatloaf Fixins in any store. I used to use it all the time.
ReplyDeleteIt's now call Hunts Dinner Starters for Meatloaf. Delish!!
DeleteWhat brand of bread crumbs do you use?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you use in place of the Meatloaf Fixins? That product is not available anymore.
ReplyDeleteThis is the same recipe that I have used for years.
ReplyDeletehis looks So amazing! I have only recently discovered that I love butternut squash! I was scared to try it after multiple attempts to like spaghetti squash were made, I just do not like spaghetti squash! But I have a cousin who’s tastes are completely different from mine and she loves spaghetti squash and hates butternut, so I had to give it a try and Yum!!!
ReplyDelete