Easy and Delicious Meatloaf



yum! Meatloaf...

Yesterday was another beautiful day today in Iowa! When I woke up in the morning, the sun was just starting to rise. I took my coffee onto the back deck and sat in the sun while I listened to the birds singing. Later in the morning I went to church and had to sit by a window just to be near the sunshine.

After being stuck inside all winter, a day like that just brings everybody outside. Including me, of course. The last thought on my mind is "what will I make for dinner?" and suddenly at 6 p.m. I realize I needed to come up with something. That's when one of those easy-to-do meals comes in very handy! Something I always have the ingredients on hand for...

So I decided to make Easy Meatloaf. I originally found the recipe on the back of a Stove Top Stuffing mix box years ago and after modifying it a few times I have my standard recipe and would love to share it with you!

Ingredients are simple: 2 pounds ground beef, 1 package Stove Top stuffing mix and 2 eggs.

My modifications are adding onions and water chestnuts. My Aunt told me she added water chestnuts to her recipe, so one day I decided to add them to mine and we absolutely loved it, so I always use them now!

I will also occasionally put craisins into the recipe as well. Last winter I found Stove Top had a cranberry stuffing mix and I picked up a few boxes and now use this all the time.

Lastly, I use a topping of ketchup, mustard and brown sugar. Or just ketchup and brown sugar.

The recipe will make 1 large loaf or 2 small loaves. I usually do 2 loaves and either cook them together -- or cook one and freeze one.

Very simple ingredients!



Chop the sliced water chestnuts into pieces



Mix ground beef, stuffing, eggs, onions and water chestnuts

 

Shape into loaves. I usually cook one and freeze one.

 

Mix ketchup and brown sugar

 

Pour ketchup/sugar mixture over meatloaf

  

Baked and all done!


See?? Easy!!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to give it a try:

Easy Meatloaf
Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 1 hour for 1 loaf, 30-35 minutes for 2 loaves
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef (can also use ground turkey)
1 package Stove Top Stuffing mix for beef (I used Cranberry)
1 can of sliced water chestnuts (chopped some more)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup ketchup
1 cup water

Topping:
1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 T mustard if desired

Directions:
Mix 1 cup water, ground beef, contents of stuffing mix, eggs, chopped water chestnuts and the ketchup.

In a separate bowl, mix the ketchup and brown sugar (and mustard if desired). You can double this if you prefer more topping on the meatloaf. Or adjust it to taste.

Shape the meat mixture into 1 or 2 oval loaves in center of a 13x9 baking pan. Spread the brown sugar mixture over the top. (I use a smaller baking pan when only baking 1 loaf.)

Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour if making 1 loaf. Bake 30-35 minutes if you have made 2 loaves (same time if you're cooking 2 smaller loaves or 1 loaf).

And enjoy!!

Thanks for reading!