Recipes for Large Families: Mama's Spicy Meatloaf

Kid and Adult Tested and Approved

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

This isn't your ordinary meatloaf recipe. I have tried many meatloaf recipes and some were good, but none were what I was looking for. A good meatloaf recipe seemed hard to come by (as did finding one without milk as an ingredient), so I had to make my own. It is a combination of my mom's meatloaf recipe and my own added adaptations. Some meatloaf recipes I tried would turn out dry or be lacking in flavor. Not this one. In fact, this meatloaf is pretty tender and also has a bold, somewhat spicy kick to it. To get the full effect of this spicy meatloaf recipe, be sure to follow the instructions exactly.

Being that we have a large household to satisfy, not every meal is enjoyed by every single family member. There is generally a complaint from someone about some ingredient contained in the recipe (or one that is missing). However, this meatloaf recipe has been requested by every family member at least a few dozen times. So, in our house, this meatloaf is a sure bet for avoiding complaints.

Ingredients:

- 3 pounds fresh ground beef (humane and organic)
- 2 eggs (humane and organic)
- 1 diced organic roma tomato
- 2 diced organic green onions
- 2 tbsp organic chicken broth
- The following spice blend to taste: garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, chili powder, paprika
- 2 diced organic carrots (for tenderness and flavor)
- 1 diced organic potato
- 2 slices of toasted bread (crushed)
- Your favorite non-GMO BBQ sauce (optional)
- Non-GMO Ketchup (optional)

In addition to the ingredients, you will need a glass rectangle 9 x 12 cake pan and a large mixing bowl.

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

The first step in making your meatloaf is to place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Throw in all the ingredients, except for the BBQ sauce and ketchup. Mix it up by kneading the ingredients in with your hands. For the sake of those who will be eating this, be respectful and wash your hands before preparing this dish. Once all the ingredients have been well-blended, take your raw meatloaf concoction and place it inside the cake pan.

Smooth out the raw meatloaf mixture so that it neatly takes up the whole pan. If your oven tends to cook quickly, cover the meatloaf with foil. Stick it in the oven for about an hour or until it is browned and there is no pink in the middle. Then, if desired, spread ketchup over one half of the meatloaf and BBQ sauce over the other. The reason for both is simply because everyone has a different preference here, so everyone is covered. You can also opt not to use either. If you use one or both of those, put the meatloaf back in for about 5 minutes and then take it out and serve. Be careful not to eat too much.

Side Menu Suggestions:

I suggest picking two of the items below as side dishes. In our house, these would be homemade as well.

- Mama's Easy Country Soul Food Cabbage
- Southern Potato Salad
- Cornbread
- Mashed Potatoes
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Green Beans & Potatoes
- Southern-Style Greens

*Note: In case frequent readers notice inconsistency, it is true that some household members no longer eat meat at all. But this is still used for those who do.