Meatloaf~

[Dib's]

The first summer my sister and I went to stay with our Dad after our parents divorce was rather trying when it came to dinner time. Our Dad could make 3 things.
Fried Spam.
Spaghetti and Sauce.
Meatloaf.
All three left a very distinct impression on me. I never got over the fried spam, I did get over the spaghetti and sauce, and I'm working on meatloaf.

My Dad's "original" meatloaf recipe consisted of burger, salt, pepper, chopped onion with ketchup on top. It was gross & to top that off, he made it 3 times a week. We would also have it fried on white bread with more ketchup for lunch the next day. For me to say "I hate meatloaf" is somewhat of an understatement, however I have learned to make a very good one. So once a year I make Knottsberry Farm Meatloaf for my husband-he has the next day sandwiches-I just can't do it

So that's my meatloaf story and the recipe I use, what's yours?

[Sharon123]

I'm pretty much a vegetarian now, but used to enjoy meatloaf.
Here are a few of my meatloaf recipes:
Meatloaf for a Mob
Cajun Meat Loaf With a Cool Tomato Salsa
Vegetarian:
Veggie Meatloaf With Checca Sauce
Not Your Mama's Meatloaf(Vegetarian)
Better than Meatloaf!
Meatless "Meat" Loaf

[K9 Owned]

I came late to the meatloaf game. My Dad hated it so we never had it growing up. I was an adult before my then MIL made it for me and was immediately sold!

I do make it now on a regular basis because DH loves it but haven't found any that I especially liked other than my own concoction. I guess I tend to go much heavier on the herbs and spices and very light on fillers like bread crumbs. It is almost impossible for me to post it as a recipe though as I have never measured anything.

Some of the recipes shown here look too good not to thy though so I expect I'll be branching out.

[Iron Bloomers]

meatloaf was a regular thing when I was growing up, the 50's, with oatmeal as a stretcher....*shudder* So as an adult I rarely made it...still don't but if I do it's the Knottsberry Farm one Di posted. It's flavorful & not loaded with binders. Hmmmmmmmmmmm let's see...probably been 6 yrs since I made it Told ya!

[Chocolatl]

My son waited 17 years to tell me he doesn't like meatloaf.

[MaMere]

My Dad also was the meatloaf maker. Onions, Ground Beef, S&P, Saltine crackers, no fancy sauce on top, the best was having meatloaf sandwiches the following day.
I still use his recipe, but make a ketchup,balsamic,brown sugar "glaze" for the top of ours, as Hubby will only eat it that way.

[Iron Bloomers]

I really like a good meatloaf with brown gravy....the red top looks pretty but give me gravy any day of the week!

[JoyfulCook]

That Knottsberry farm recipe looks good and yes, lots of flavor in it as well. (I love that place lol) I have not made one in years either but I might well be tempted with that recipe Dibs. I have not looked at the other recipes as yet.

I remember making meatloaf ( small) in cookery in high school and carried it home on the bus. I have to admit the family did try it but it was not what I call a success, I also remember my dad refused to have it cold in sandwiches the next day

[**Tinkerbell**]

The only Meatloaf I knew before I was 30 years old was on my car stereo and in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Seriously, my mom never made a casserole, a box of anything, spam, internal organs or meatloaf, so I had to experiment with these things on my own. (Except Spam. My only contact with it is a scary story, but I'll never be able to put that stuff in my mouth.)

Anyway, I just decided one day that I could no longer go on saying meatloaf was gross if I'd never tried it. But I knew I wouldn't be able to eat the traditional loaf pan loaf and I don't like ketchup on anything.
I remembered I'd seen a recipe for little mini meatloaves in a Taste of Home magazine. I dug out the recipe, tweaked it (no cheese, more garlic and spices) and doubled the sauce.
The sauce has some ketchup in it, but with brown sugar, mustard and my added spices, it became a really flavorful mixture.
The little bit of meat to lots of sauce ratio and served with mashed potatoes allowed me to enjoy a meatloaf.
We only have it once a year or less though.

[JoyfulCook]

Loved meatloaf - a bat out of hell! lol..

[**Tinkerbell**]

JoyfulCook wrote:
Loved meatloaf - a bat out of hell! lol..

Exactly!

[Chocolatl]

**Tinkerbell** wrote:

JoyfulCook wrote:
Loved meatloaf - a bat out of hell! lol..

Exactly!

Two out of three ain't bad. . .

[**Tinkerbell**]

Chocolatl wrote:

**Tinkerbell** wrote:

JoyfulCook wrote:
Loved meatloaf - a bat out of hell! lol..

Exactly!

Two out of three ain't bad. . .

Oh yeah! It's all coming back to me now...

[K9 Owned]

Praying for the end of time?

[duonyte]

I like meatloaf, especially when served with mashed potatoes and gravy. I use a Cooks' Illustrated recipe as the basis - the main thing is to mix meats. I use a mix of ground beef, ground pork and ground veal. If veal is too expensive or not to be found, I use ground turkey.

I usually make several small meatloafs (free form, not in a loaf pan) and freeze two of them. This gives me more of the caramelized crusty exterior, which I like. If I do use a loaf pan, I freeze leftovers in individual slices - excellent for lunch or dinner later.