Traditional Meatloaf
2 lbs ground beef or 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb ground pork
1 cup rolled oats or stale coarse bread crumbs or cracker crumbs
½ cup milk
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 egg
¼ cup ketchup, plus more for the top
1 packet unflavored gelatin (optional)
1 tbsp Worchestershire sauce or soy sauce (optional)
other seasoning as desired (onion or garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the egg with the milk, stir in the oats or crumbs and allow to sit for a few minutes. In a large bowl add the meat, the onion, soaked oats or crumbs, ketchup, any seasoning and the unflavored gelatin. Mix quickly and well. On a well greased rimmed baking dish, for the mixture into a loaf and then cover the top with more ketchup or other sauce you like or no sauce if you prefer. Bake for about an hour, allowing the ketchup on top to brown a little bit. Cool in pan about 5-10 minutes, then remove to serving plate and slice.
Some people like to add finely grated or chopped carrots and/or green peppers. And no reason you couldn't add cauliflower rice either. If you are wanting to up your fiber intake, a couple tbsps flax seed meal would work or use oat bran instead of the rolled oats. If you want some heat and to change up the flavor, add ½ cup roasted green chiles, along with some ground cumin to the spice mix. Leave off the ketchup on top and serve with some heated salsa or queso on each serving.
