How To Prepare Meatloaf

 Meatloaf

Time : 1½ hours

During hard times, traditional meatloaf was developed as a delectable method to use up leftover vegetables and stretch meat further. The original version of this quick meatloaf recipe combines ground beef, pork, and veal with basic ingredients from the pantry, but you should feel free to substitute your chosen proportion of meat, such as half beef and half pork. A meatloaf made using milk-soaked bread will be soft, and baking it freeform on a baking sheet rather than in a loaf pan gives the tomato glaze more surface area to caramelize as it bakes. Slices that are left over can be crisped in a skillet and added to a salad or a sandwich. Alternatively, save one uncooked bread in the freezer for the next time you need to prepare dinner. simply thaw the night before and bake as directed.

INGREDIENTS

Yield:

6 to 8 servings (2 loaves)

FOR THE MEATLOAF

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)

5 large garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 (½-inch-thick) slices white sandwich bread (about 3 ounces), torn into small pieces

⅔ cup whole milk

3 large eggs

¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf or curly parsley

2  tablespoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon dried thyme

3  pounds meatloaf mix (or any combination of ground beef, pork and/or veal)

FOR THE TOMATO GLAZE

½ cup ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

PREPARATION

Step 1

Make the meatloaf: Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a rimmed baking sheet with oil. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste until well combined; let cool.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine bread and milk, and mash with a spoon until a paste forms. Add eggs, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme and cooled onion mixture and mix until well blended. Add the beef, pork and veal, and mix gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide mixture into 2 equal portions and shape each into a 4-by-8-inch meatloaf on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3

Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Use a spoon to spread mixture over the top and sides of each meatloaf. Bake until nicely browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of meatloaf registers 160 degrees, 45 to 55 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.