Best Ever Meatloaf

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• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  eggs
• 2⁄3 cup milk
• 3  slices  bread, torn into pieces
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 1⁄2 cup  grated carrot
• 1  cup  shredded cheddar cheese or 4  ounces cheddar cheese or 4  ounces mozzarella cheese
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh parsley or 1  teaspoon dried parsley
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon basil (optional) or 1  teaspoon thyme (optional) or 1  teaspoon sage (optional)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1⁄2 lbs lean ground beef

• TOPPING

• 1⁄2 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup tomato sauce
• 1  teaspoon mustard

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs.
2. Add milk and bread; let stand a few minutes or until the bread absorbs the liquid.
3. Stir in the onion, carrot, cheese, herbs and seasonings.
4. Add beef; mix well.
5. In a shallow baking pan, shape beef mixture into a 7 1/2 inches x 3 1/2-in. x 2 1/2-in. loaf.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, combine topping ingredients. Spoon some of the topping over meat loaf.
8. Bake for about 30 minutes longer or until no pink remains, occasionally spooning some of the remaining topping over loaf.
9. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.