Written by Variation#1***Italian Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb italian sausage (sweet or spicy depending on your preference) about 2 sausages, decased
1/4 parsley, chopped
1/4 C onion, finely diced
1/3 C Parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 C mushrooms, diced (optional) reserve 2 to slice & place on top of loaf
1/2 C italian bread crumbs (or plain)
1 eggs, slightly beaten
dash of oregano, basil
S & P
1 C of your favorite spaghetti sauce, or tomato sauce
To assemble: Oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients less the spaghetti sauce. Pat into a loaf and place in oven for 40 minutes. Drain any grease off at this point (if needed) and then top the meatloaf with the sauce of your choice. Place some sliced mushrooms on top of sauce, or sprinkle with some extra cheese. Continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.
*Notes – Leftovers from this meatloaf, can be crumbled into some ziti, or penne pasta, covered with additonal sauce, cheese and baked to make a wonderful italian casserole. The basic meatloaf recipe here makes a good meatball, just form and place on cookie sheet – bake for 45 minutes & add to your favorite spaghetti dinner.
Variation#2***Aloha Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1/2 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1/2 lb ground pork
3/4 C onion, fine diced
1/2 C chopped pepper
1 lg egg beaten
1/2 oatmeal
1/4 C plus 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce, separate use
4 pineapple rings
To assemble: Oven to 350. Mix meats, onion, pepper, egg, oatmeal and 1/4 C teriyaki sauce. Pat into loaf and put in greased loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Take out of oven, place the pineapple rings on top, drizzle the extra teriyaki sauce over all. Return to oven for another 10 minutes. Option of broiling in last 5 minutes if you like your pineapple crispy.
*Note – This recipe makes a fine burger or individual loaf, too.
Variation#3***Bavarian Meatloaf (from Culinary Excursions through Germany)
Ingredients:
1.5 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground bacon
1 tbsp mace (or pinch of nutmeg)
1 tbsp black pepper, ground
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp salt
1 onion, diced finely
water (about 2-3 tbsp)
To assemble: Oven to 370. Mix thoroughly all ingredients less the onion & butter until smooth – add a bit of water at a time until the mixture is smooth. Spread the butter in a loaf pan, sprinkle the onion on top of the butter and then place the loaf on top. Brush the top of the meatloaf w/a bit of water. Bake for 1 hour. The ends of this loaf should appear “crisp”
