I never liked meatloaf when I was a child. I told my mother that I wouldn’t eat anything that had “things” in it I couldn’t identify. Yes, I knew she made it, but I was always suspicious of the little red and green bits and an occasional texture that played on my imagination, so I stayed away from dishes that were made of ground up stuff. My blog assignment for this month’s Secret Recipe Club is Allie’s Clean Plate Club and when I saw her mouthwatering recipe for meat loaf I decided I should give that mysterious recipe from the past another try. When Allison mentioned how good her Super Moist Meatloaf is in sandwiches the next day it cinched my decision. It was tough because she has so many tempting recipes on her blog and I know I will return often to read her posts and sample more recipes. Allison is from Chicago (one of my favorite cities) and is now a West Coast gal who lives in Southern California. Wish she would send a little sunshine up here to the Pacific Northwest. All our sunshine is in liquid form right now (lots of rain). 
In case you haven’t heard of the Secret Recipe Club and haven’t seen posts about it the last few months I’ll give you a little background info. The SRC is the brain child of Amanda at Amanda’s Cooking. Each month club members are assigned a secret blog from which we select any recipe of our choice and write a blog post about it. We keep our assignment a secret (thus the name) until reveal day when everybody’s posts appear at the same time. The club is divided into four groups, each with a different reveal day, and I’m in Group C, headed by Angela at Big Bear’s Wife. Angie does an amazing job of guiding our group and making sure we work like a fine tuned machine. Many thanks, Angie, don’t know how we would manage without you. There is a long waiting list for membership in the Secret Recipe Club and I’m very happy to be a part of this fun and very interesting group. I’ve made many new friends and have tried some pretty darn fabulous recipes since I joined. Now, let’s get back to the meatloaf. Allison’s recipe is similar to the one my mom used and I made it just the way she does except I added another half cup of breadcrumbs (she did say the meatloaf was moist). Next time I will use 1/2 cup milk instead of the three-quarters the recipe calls for and not increase the breadcrumbs. I added thick slices of applewood bacon to the top of the loaf before baking and it added the most delicious smoky flavor to the beef/pork combination. I took the meatloaf out of the oven about 15 minutes before the end of cooking time, poured off the fat in the pan, and spread half of the topping on top of the bacon. It baked the final minutes at 375 degrees so the topping made a nice glaze on the meat.
- 2 beaten eggs
- ¾ cup cold milk
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs (not Italian dry breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- lots of freshly ground black pepper
- 1-1/2 pounds ground beef (I used 1 pound ground beet and ½ pound ground pork)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- TOPPINGS:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- Thoroughly mix all ingredients and shape into a 9x5" loaf pan. I placed slices of thick apple wood bacon on top of the meat loaf.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Combine topping ingredients.
- I spread half of this mixture over the top of the meatloaf the last 10 minutes of baking and turned the oven temperature up to 375 degrees. Serve the rest of the topping with the meat loaf slices.
~~~ Dinner last night was so delicious and easy to put together. I made the meatloaf earlier in the day, then baked it along with a few Idaho Russet potatoes. I’m usually in a hurry at dinnertime and microwave potatoes, but last night the meatloaf had to cook for the time it would take the spuds to bake. I had forgotten how good oven baked potatoes are: light and fluffy with a delicate potato flavor. I topped them with a pat of butter and a handful of grated Tillamook extra sharp Vintage White Cheddar and some freshly grated black pepper. The salad was arugula with a Dijon vinaigrette. Simple but oh so good.
This looks wonderful!!!! I love meatloaf and with bacon on top??? Oh man!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..{Secret Recipe Club} Pecan Pie Bars
It looks fantastic, Cathy. I’m not a big meatloaf fan but I’d love to try a slice, it really looks so good. Hubby would like it next day on a sandwich.
Carol @There’s Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..What to do with leftover roast chicken?
I much prefer oven baked potatoes. Your meal looks delicious!
Come by and visit my blog today, you are a winner!
Marilyn recently posted..Toes wiggled in the sand!
I just love this, I just love meatloaf. the promise of toasted sandwiches with meatloaf = LOVE
jennifurla recently posted..Cinnamon Apple Spice Truffles
I wasn’t crazy about meatloaf growing up either, but now I like it, especially topped with bacon. Sounds like a great recipe.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes recently posted..Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles
Bacon-topped meatloaf sounds like the way to go! How delicious!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos recently posted..(How to) Make No-Mess Wonton Tacos
I love meatloaf as a true comfort food, yet I haven’t made it often since my children flew the nest. I’ll have to try this recipe one day soon!
Pat recently posted..Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
What is it with men that they love meatloaf so much? Whenever I make mine (with a cider vinegar, brown sugar and ketchup glaze), they go nuts! I have to admit that meatloaf sandwiches are great. Great choice for the SRC, Cathy. I’m crazy about baked potatoes, and so this whole meal looks fantastic. It’s been dreary and overcast here in Northern California… feel free to send rain our way. We sure need it!
Foodiewife recently posted..Pork Chops with Wine & Garlic
Great choice for SRC, this looks so delicious! So glad to be in Group C with you! 🙂
My husband declared he would never eat meatloaf when we first married. I’m so glad he’s changed his mind because we both love it, especially the sandwiches the next day. Allie’s (now yours) old fashioned meatloaf looks delicious. Wish I was having it for dinner tonight.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Join me for Sunday Supper at Providence Ltd. featuring southern Pickled Shrimp
I’ve learned over the years that men love 1) meatloaf and 2) chocolate cake with a glass of milk. The plate looks delicious!
Karen recently posted..Beer Steamed Mussels and Shrimp
This sounds as though it is a meatloaf recipe I would like! I like your variations. Great choice for SRC.
Kate recently posted..Chi Chi’s Chimichangas
Meatloaf sounds good Cathy, I haven’t had it in quite a while. The chili powder sounds like an interesting addition-enjoy:@)
Love me a good meatloaf! LOL What great comfort food! Great SRC post.
Cathy, your meatloaf looks so temptingly delicious, I know my boys would love this especially when they see the bacon on the top! Just so lovely to look at!
Jeannie recently posted..Fresh Pear and Pecan Cake
I haven’t had a good old fashioned meatloaf in ages, great SRC choice.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my Group ‘A’ SRC entry: Crunchy Fudgy Heart Bites
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Lisa~~ recently posted..Apple Pancakes
My hubby simply adores meatloaf. This is on my list to make in the near future. Glad to be part of SRC group C with you!!
hahaha I can’t believe that you didn’t liked it, I first tried it at my grandmas house and I immediately fell in love with it even though I never knew what those “things” were until now, you made it quite well it looks delicious!
beti recently posted..Chorizo and Cheese Bread
My favorite way to eat meatloaf is as leftovers on a sandwich. This would make a mighty fine one- love the bacon on top. 🙂
Betty @ scrambled henfruit recently posted..Paula’s Meatless (but you’d never know it) Chili
I need a good meatloaf recipe–this just could be it. It’s the bacon on top! Hubby loves meatloaf sandwiches.
Great SRC pick.
I haven’t made meatloaf in the longest time now. Eager to try this recipe out! Visiting you from Group B!
Trisha recently posted..Chocohotopots … to the rescue!
Yay, you revisited your past and overcame meatloaf phobia! Looks like it turned out super.
Rhonda recently posted..Barbeque Red Bean Burgers a Secret Recipe Club Reveal
It’s been ages since I last made meatloaf – I’ll have to remedy that. Your description of your baked potatoes had me drooling!
I love meatloaf and nothing beats a meatloaf sandwich, but mt husband Never cared for it; maybe the bacon topping would covert him. Looks wonderful Cathy with that baked potato.
Rita
A hearty and tasty meal. My husband would definitely love this.
[email protected] ’s Recipes recently posted..Rye Bread with Chinese Red Dates and Sultanas
I’ve always thought the trick to good meat loaf was a mixture of meats…not just beef. This looks wonderful, Cathy.
Barbara recently posted..Claudia Fleming’s Rhubarb Cobbler
Comfort food on a rainy day is a must! Your meatloaf certainly fill the requirement!!
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..Beyond Broccoli–Bok Choy
Thanks for the old fashioned meatloaf recipe. It is always nice having some variations of a family favorite.
I just made meatloaf last Thursday, wish I had seen this first! It sounds great!
Oh how I do luv a meatloaf.
Ramona recently posted..Still my favorite
Cathy, your meatloaf sounds delicious with the addition of bacon. I must be slow today because I can’t figure what your topping ingredients are…it must just be me because no one else has mentioned this. I presume that it is the ketchup on down.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Historic Charleston Revisited
Karen, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I had a lot of trouble with this post and had to redo it 3 times. I just added the topping ingredients and I hope nobody is terribly confused over this. It wasn’t you, it was me and my computer. 🙁
Cathy recently posted..Old Fashioned Meatloaf for the Secret Recipe Club
I love the looks of your meatloaf Cathy, especially with that bacon on top. I bet that gives it a great layer of flavor. I feel a sudden craving for a meatloaf sandwich coming on now, so I may have to indulge this week!
Lynda recently posted..Pecan Sandies
i never liked meatloaf growing up either, but now i think it’s delicious! i love this recipe, especially that bacon on top, YUMMY!
teresa recently posted..Salmon with Mango-Avocado Salsa
Oh geez….I can’t believe that I never thought to throw some bacon on top!! Bacon makes EVERYTHING better. I will definitely give that a try next time we make this for dinner. I am a meatloaf lover, but I really make it for the sandwiches the next day. I just cut off a slice, brown it up a bit in a skillet and have another great meal! Sure beats pb&j 😉
So glad to have “met” you in group C!
Allie
Allie @ Allies Clean Plate Club recently posted..Pretzel Brownies
After my Mama and Daddy got married, Mama taught Gama several recipes including a coconut cake that became very
fashionable within the family. It’s quaint.
Old Time Recipes, Old Fashioned Recipes recently posted..Old Time Recipes, Old Fashioned Recipes