The Meat Lover's Dream Loaf
Immerse yourself in the irresistible pleasure of the acclaimed "The Meat Lover's Dream Loaf" - a timeless masterpiece brimming with succulent ground meat, delectable seasonings, and secret ingredients that guarantee an unforgettable dining affair. This foolproof recipe guarantees a tender, juicy, and flavorsome meatloaf that will captivate hearts at any mealtime gathering. Prepare to relish the essence of perfection with each and every mouthful!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
- 3 slices bread toasted and crumbled
- 7 buttery round crackers crushed
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 3 ½ tablespoons sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce, divided
- ¼ cup milk or as needed (Optional)
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
Instructions
- To begin, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Next, assemble all the necessary ingredients.
- The butter should be melted in a skillet placed over medium heat. Proceed to cook the onion and garlic until the onion turns soft and translucent, which usually takes around 5 minutes. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat source before seasoning the mixture with an appropriate amount of salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the mixture of onion and garlic, beef, crumbled bread, crushed crackers, egg, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and half a can of tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Gradually add milk, one teaspoon at a time, ensuring the mixture is moist but not overly wet.
- The mixture should be transferred into a loaf pan measuring 5 inches by 9 inches.
- The dish should be placed in the preheated oven, and it should bake uncovered for a duration of 40 minutes. After that, the oven temperature needs to be raised to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). The baking process should continue for an additional 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining tomato sauce and ketchup. Gently pour the mixture over the meatloaf, ensuring even coverage. Allow the meatloaf to bake for an additional 10 minutes.