Really Great Meatloaf!

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground lamb
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or use 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder)
• 1/2 cup chili sauce (or use 1/4 cup of each!) or 1/2 cup ketchup (or use 1/4 cup of each!)
• 1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumb (more if needed)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce (one more tablespoon won't hurt!)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 -2 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt (can use salt)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/2-3/4 cup ketchup
• brown sugar (start with 2 tablespoons and add in more to taste)
• 3 -4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 lb fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (rubbed between fingers to release the oils)
• 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350°f.
• 2 prepare a 9 x 5-inch baking pan and a baking sheet covered with foil to place underneath to catch any drippings.
• 3 using clean hands mix together all meatloaf ingredients except the 1/2 to 3/4 cup ketchup and the brown sugar, until well combined in a large bowl (adding in a little more breadcrumbs if needed).
• 4 pack the mixture into prepared pan.
• 5 place the pan on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch any spills.
• 6 bake for about 1 hour.
• 7 mix together ketchup with enough brown sugar to taste (start with 2 tablespoons adding in as much brown sugar as you desire to reach desired sweetness).
• 8 after the 1 hour of baking, remove the meat loaf (at this point you can carefully drain off some of the fat if desired) and spread the ketchup/brown sugar mixture over the top.
• 9 place back in the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the meat loaf is pulling away from the sides of the pan.
• 10 optional for the stuffing mixture; melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; add in mushrooms, onion and thyme, cook stirring until the mushrooms brown and loose their moisture.
• 11 add in the soft breadcrumbs and cook until lightly browned.
• 12 season with salt and pepper.
• 13 spread evenly onto the bottom layer of beef mixture, then press down slightly.
• 14 top with layer of beef mixture and bake as stated.