All-American Barbecue Meatloaf

Submitted by Chef #368894

"Hail to the red, white, and blue! This version of our basic meatloaf salutes that all-American tradition of the barbecue with the flavor of the grill."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 6 muffins
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef
• 24 saltine crackers
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can vegetable beef soup, in beef broth
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1⁄2 cup shredded American cheese

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Crush the crackers. I use the food processor to get finer crumbs.
3. Mix the meat, soup, and egg together with the seasonings.
4. Add cracker crumbs until the texture is firm but not dry.
5. Press the meatloaf mixture into a loaf pan.
6. Bake until almost done.
7. Top with barbecue sauce and American cheese. Continue baking until sauce is heated, cheese is melted and meatloaf is done (160° on the meat thermometer).
8. Muffin variation: Divide meatloaf mixture into 6 even portions.
9. Press into large size muffin tin that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
10. If adding a sauce, form a well in the top of each muffin.
11. Check baking time carefully, as the smaller size allows the dish to bake more quickly. I have found that baking time is reduced to about 35 minutes in this form.