Ann's Old Fashioned Meatloaf

This meat loaf will remind you of diner food on old Route 66, a real blast to the past.

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons  vegetable oil
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 1  carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 -4  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  lbs  80% lean ground beef (20% fat)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  fresh breadcrumbs
• 2  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2⁄3 cup catsup
• 1⁄2 cup tomato sauce, plus
•  tomato sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. Saute vegetables in oil until carrots are soft.
2. Add garlic and saute about 1-2 minutes longer.
3. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
4. In a large bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, and cooled vegetables.
5. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and catsup until combined.
6. Pour egg mixture over beef and mix with hands, handling just enough to combine evenly.
7. Do not overmix, or it will be too dry.
8. Pat mixture gently into greased loaf pan, but do not press down too firmly.
9. Pour 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the top and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1-1/4 hours.
10. Place on a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
11. Cut into thick slices and serve warm or cold with extra tomato sauce, if desired.
12. I use crushed, canned tomatoes sometimes and that is very good too.