At our house meatloaf is the ultimate in comfort food!  We love it smothered with classic ketchup and brown sugar sauce, and for a true measure of comfort it must be served with homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans cooked with onions and bacon.

Through the years, meatloaf was a regular for many families because you could “stretch” your budget by throwing just about anything in with the meat.  Maybe that’s why sometimes it sometimes became the brunt of many jokes – because not all meatloaf is created equally!  I doubt there are any two people who make meatloaf the same {that means some of you have fond memories of mom’s meatloaf and some of you not so much 😉 }.  The trick, of course, is to be one that makes it great {you really don’t want your meatloaf to be the best source of laughter at family reunions}.  When done right,  meatloaf is moist and tasty- pure comfort food!

We always make enough for leftovers because we also love meatloaf paninis– meatloaf and sauce on toasted artisan bread with provolone – yum!

There are a few  little “family secrets” in our meatloaf . . .  like finely diced veggies and a  little v-8 juice for an amazing kick of flavor and to keep it moist;  another secret is to not over-mix or over-form the meatloaf {don’t smash it down in the pan}.   I also like to use a meatloaf pan so the grease drains as it cooks.  {This one by Rachel Ray is a little more, but the orange handles are cute!}

One more tip:  Meatloaf is a great Cook Once Eat Twice dinner.  It’s just as easy to make 2 or 3 as it is one.  Make up a couple of extras, shape them into a loaf and then freeze uncooked – just defrost and bake.

Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Ketchup Sauce

Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
2 slices bread, crumbled
1 large egg
1 small onion, diced
1/2 cup carrots, chopped very small
1/2 cup zucchini, chopped very small
1/4 cup v-8 juice (ketchup  or tomato sauce will do also)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Brown Sugar Ketchup Sauce

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoon mustard (more to your taste)
4 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a large mixing bowl {yes, use your hands to mix}.  Mix until just combined and form mixture to fit in loaf pan.

Bake for 1 hour.

While meatloaf is baking stir together the ketchup, mustard and brown sugar for the sauce.  Remove meatloaf from oven and drain or move loaf to an oven-safe baking dish.  (You don’t want your sauce to run through the bottom if using a mealoaf pan.)   Cover meatloaf with a layer of sauce and return to oven for 15 minutes or until meatloaf is at 150 degrees and the glaze has caramelized onto the meat.  Heat the remaining sauce in the microwave and serve separately.

Note:  Add any veggies you like to make about a cup (cup and a half if you like lots) – in addition to carrots and zucchini try mushrooms, peppers and squash.

Relax and enjoy – mmm . . . this is comfort food!