Old Fashioned Family Meatloaf

 

Ingredients

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 bell pepper, cut finely diced 

2 celery stalks celery, finely diced

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 

5 tablespoons ketchup, divided

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups dry Italian-flavored breadcrumbs

2 pounds lean (90% or leaner) ground beef or ground turkey

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a medium baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the vegetables; stir to combine. Stir in egg and breadcrumbs. Add ground beef and with clean hands gently knead the vegetable mixture into the meat; do not overmix. Pat the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place in the prepared baking dish. Spread the remaining 3 tablespoons of ketchup on top.

Bake the meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, about 45 -60 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. I served the meatloaf with pan-fried sliced potatoes and sautéed zucchini.