Mama's Meatloaf

Mmm, meatloaf. One of those comfort foods that's especially good in the winter.

Growing up, our meatloaf was very plain. Meat, salt & pepper, and ketchup.

I hated it.

But my ex-husband's late mother shared a secret with me. (when she was still alive and we were still married, of course.) She told me that she put pineapple in her meatloaf.

And I nearly gagged. But then I tried her meatloaf, and it was delicious.

And she was not even Southern! She was from Michigan, for crying out loud. But she sure could cook some meatloaf.

So I started experimenting and came up with a meatloaf recipe that I love. The problem is that I don't measure anything, so I'm going to estimate amounts, and you can play with them and make it the way you like it!

Mama's Meatloaf

2 lbs. ground beef

1/2 cup bread crumbs

3 eggs

salt & Nature's Seasons

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped

1 packet of French's Meatloaf Seasoning

1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix

1/2 cup ketchup

1 small can of crushed pineapple

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands. Yes, it's yucky, but that's just the way you have to do it! Squish it all together, then put it in a 9x13 casserole dish and shape it into a meatloaf shape. I always squirt some ketchup on top in a swirly pattern, too. Then bake for 30-45 minutes, making sure it's done in the center.

It's off the chain!

You just have to make mashed potatoes with this. I recommend Pioneer Woman's recipe.