Classic Meatloaf

4-6 servings 

Ingredients-

1.75-2 lbs of ground beef 80/20 (can also use equal parts ground beef, pork and veal)

1 medium yellow onion, diced 

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 large eggs, lightly beaten 

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 

6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce 

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 teaspoon fine tablespoons salt 

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 heaping tablespoon of tomato paste

1/3 cup flat leaf parsley chopped 

2 cups of bread pieces (inside of an airy, rustic,Italian loaf is best (inside only, not crust), or you can really use whatever white or even brioche style bread you have)

Water as needed

Glaze- 

3 tablespoons BBQ sauce 

2 tablespoons ketchup 

Steps-

1. Preheat your oven to 375F. 

2. Sweat your onions by heating the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and adding your onions. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook on low heat until soft and translucent, then set aside. 

3. In a large bowl add your ground meat, eggs, dijon, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt, garlic powder, tomato paste and parsley. In a separate bowl add your torn bread pieces and pour water over it to moisten. Use your hands to gently ring out the bread (you want it still wet but not dripping) and add it to the bowl with the meat mixture. 

4. Use your hands to mix everything together just until combined. 

5. Use your hands to form the meat into a free-formed loaf shape on top of a parchment lined sheet pan.  The loaf should be about 9x5 inches and about 2-3 inches thick. 

6. Drizzle the top of the loaf with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

7. To make the glaze, mix together the BBQ sauce and Ketchup and set aside. 

8. Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes then remove from the oven, increase the oven to 400F. Spread the glaze on top of the meatloaf and put it back in the oven on the top rack. Let it bake about 10-15 minutes longer or until the top gets golden brown and the internal temperature is about 160F. 

9. Let the meatloaf rest for about 8-10 minutes before enjoying ! I like to serve mine with mashed potatoes and string beans!