The Perfect Loaf of Meat

Having just returned from an amazing week at the beach, I wanted to make a nice comforting homemade meal for Matt and I before we have to face the reality of work tomorrow....and the return to eating healthy foods after the past days of glutteny. To top off our vacation, Matt suggested I make one of his favorites, Paula Deen's Barbecue Meatloaf. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of meat loaf overall. But this recipe that I discovered a couple of years ago on foodnetwork.com is fabulous! Hearty with a touch of sweetness, super juicy, and delicious. Paired with some fluffy mashed potatoes and roasted tomatoes and broccoli, it was the perfect end to an awesome week.

Barbecue Meatloaf

from foodnetwork.com

1.5 pounds ground beef (1.7o pounds)

1 cup fresh bread crumbs (Italian bread crumbs)

1 onion, diced
1 egg, lightly beaten
1.5 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce

3 tablespoons vinegar

3 tablespoons brown sugar (1/4 cup)

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup water, to thin, if necessary (I did not use)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together the beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Form this mixture into a loaf and place it in a shallow pan. Stir together the remaining tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and water (if too thick). Pour this sauce over the meat loaf. Bake for one hour, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices.