Diana’s Easy Meatloaf – and a Podcast!

Let’s see…  We’re all stuck at home during a pandemic, trying to feed our families, yet not wanting to go to the grocery store.  We need easy meals we can pull together on the cheap.  Sound about right to you?  Well, have I got a recipe for you, then!  May I present, Diana’s Easy Meatloaf.

Now, let me back-pedal just a wee bit.  Last month, during Lent, I was honored to be a storyteller on the Ruah Storytellers Podcast.  In my episode, I manage to tell the story all about how my husband used to hate meatloaf but doesn’t anymore while simultaneously chatting about the corporal works of mercy.  No small feat, huh?

Since the episode aired (yep, that’s my episode! take a listen!), more than a few people have asked me if the meatloaf recipe had made it to the blog yet.  Well, as of today, I can finally answer that yes.  Yes, the meatloaf recipe is on the blog.  I hope you enjoy!

What I Love About This Recipe

Honestly, what’s not to love?

I love that it’s my youngest daughter’s favorite.  Seriously, she eats it up.  And heaven help you if you take an end piece and she doesn’t get the crispy part!

I love that it comes together so fast.  Not even kidding, it takes less time to mix up and shape the loaves than it does for my oven to heat up to 400.  Then again, maybe that says something about my oven.

I love that I almost always have everything I need to make this already in my pantry and freezer.

And I absolutely love that I always think of my friend when I make it.

What’s in it?

2 lbs. ground beef (or ground turkey or a combination of the two)

1 pkg. Stove Top Savory Herb blend stuffing mix

1 c. water

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 to 1/2 cup ketchup, plus more for the topping

(After you make it the first time, feel free to add more of whatever seasonings you might want — garlic or parsley or onion.  It truly doesn’t need any additional salt or pepper, though.)

How Do You Make It?

Preheat your oven to 400° F.  Cover a large baking pan with aluminum foil and set aside.  Mix the meat, stuffing mix, water, eggs, and ketchup in a large bowl with your hands.  Really mix it up well.

Divide the meat mixture in half and shape into two oval loaves.  Place side by side on the foil-lined baking dish.  Top each loaf with some additional ketchup and spread it to cover.

Bake for 45 minutes, then let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Makes 12 servings.

Then again, maybe I should say that I make 12 slices total out of those two loaves.  My six-member family can take down almost all of both loaves in one sitting.

And that’s that!

I usually serve this alongside some mashed potatoes and either green beans or peas.  There’s just nothing like those good old-fashioned, stick to your ribs meals we ate as kids, am I right?

Here’s the printable recipe for you! –> Diana’s Easy Meatloaf

Oh!  And if you want to go totally retro and have a fantastic dessert to serve afterward, check out my grandmother’s Heath Chip Brownies.

Enjoy!  Both the meatloaf AND the podcast!