It's Okay to Let Your Meat Loaf

As comedian Adam Sandler's hilarious Lunch Lady song suggests, there are tons of ways to use yesterday's meatloaf. I always make a double-batch of my special "secret recipe" meatloaf, so that I can use it for other meals during the week. Even though you're changing it up and it usually doesn't get old after two or three meals, it does freeze well.

Today, I'll just give the meatloaf recipe. Craig says this is the best meatloaf on Earth, and nothing compares to it. I hope you all find it the same. For the first night, it's great with some gravy (if you don't know how to make homemade gravy, message me) and cream cheese smashed taters (boil and smash potatoes reserving skin and lots of lumps, then add milk, butter, and cream cheese and stir till creamy, season to taste).


Tomorrow, it's sloppy joes (yes, just like the song-yesterday's meatloaf is today's sloppy joes!). And on Thursday, we'll do some spaghetti and meatloaf-balls and homemade sauce.

KJ's Meatloaf (recipe is for just one batch, I suggest doubling)
1 lb ground beef
1/2 white onion, chopped and sauteed in bacon grease
1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped (canned or fresh, sauteed)
1/2 cup crumbled bacon (I use 1/2 lb, cut it up, then cook it)
1/4-1/2 c. ketchup
5 dashes Worchestershire
3-4 pieces fresh, cubed bread (I use the ends of a loaf of sandwich bread, plus one extra slice)
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
salt
pepper
garlic powder

1/4 c. ketchup and 1/4 c. brown sugar mixed for topping

Cook bacon till crisp, add onion and sautee till translucent. If using fresh mushrooms, add and sautee until tender. Put ground beef in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Drop the egg in the well, and beat slightly. Add ketchup, 1/4 c. milk, worchestershire, mushrooms, seasonings and bread. When bacon and onion are cool enough to handle, add to mix. Mix well, but be careful not to overmix, or meat will become tough. Mixture should have a firm, yet wet consistency. If it feels a little dry and crumbling when formed into a ball, add more milk. Put in loaf pan (I prefer an actual meatloaf pan with a rack on top that allows fat to drain) and bake for about an hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees. If desired, spread ketchup/brown sugar sauce on top during last 15 minutes of baking.