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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 (219g)

Recipe makes 8 servings

The following items or measurements are not included below:

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Calories 315
Calories from Fat 140 (44%)
Amount Per Serving %DV
Total Fat 15.6g 24%
Saturated Fat 6.9g 34%
Monounsaturated Fat 6.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 114mg 38%
Sodium 836mg 34%
Potassium 588mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 14.7g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0.8g 3%
Sugars 4.9g
Protein 28.0g 56%

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Mom's Secret Ingredient Meatloaf

Recipe #17528 | 1¼ hours | 5 min prep | add private note

By: hopeful
Jan 19, 2002

My mother made the best meatloaf in town, but would never share her recipe saying it was just a basic meatloaf recipe with a "secret ingredient". Now all MY family and friends beg for this meatloaf, but only my daughter knows the secret ingredient — now you will too. You will get raves on this one!

SERVES 8 (change servings and units)

Ingredients

  • 2-2 1/2 lbs ground chuck
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion (, or you can use 2-3 Tblp dried onion flakes if the kids object to actually seeing the onion)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 pieces bread, crumbed in food processor
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3-1/2 cup Heinz Chili Sauce (NO SUBSTITUTION on this ingredient)

Topping

Directions

  1. 1
    Mix ground chuck with breadcrumbs.
  2. 2
    (extra lean works well too).
  3. 3
    Add salt,pepper and egg.
  4. 4
    Mixing with you hands now, add the Heinz Chili Sauce and the milk.
  5. 5
    Seperate the mixture in half and form 2 loaves.
  6. 6
    They will both fit comfortably in a 13" by 9" pan.
  7. 7
    Mix the topping together and spread on the top and the sides of the loaves.
  8. 8
    Cook at 375 for one hour or 400 for 45 minutes.
  9. 9
    Check for firmness.
  10. 10
    Let rest for ten minutes before cutting.
  11. 11
    Tips---------.
  12. 12
    If you have stale bread you can lay 2 slices under each loaf and it will soak up the grease so your meatloaf is a bit leaner upon serving.
  13. 13
    Also, you can use the Chili Sauce on top of the meatloaf instead of catsup.
  14. 14
    This makes it spicier but my mother never did this because it would have given away her"Secret Ingredient" -- and the kids probably will like it better with catsup on top.
  15. 15
    Enjoy!

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Featured Reviews for This Recipe

From: LB in Middle Georgia

On May 5, 2008

This is the way I like my meat loaf, so lucky the whole family loves meatloaf. Growing up my mother always made the brown sugar glaze and you know I just don’t care for it sweet. I did do a few things different but didn’t mean to change it, it was just what I had. First I doubled Crotons instead of breadcrumbs, No cheese plus I added beef onion soup mix and added ½ the onions skipped the salt and added 1cup celery. For the topping, we used ½ ketchup and ½ chili sauce only because I was running out so we added a few dashes of our favorite hot sauce (Hangin’ with Hussein) at dinner we were all doing the Yum Yum song. So good ………. Thank you

0 people found this review helpful

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    From: Lisa in Chicago

    On Dec 13, 2007

    This is a great meatloaf. I love the chili sauce ingredient (i used generic brand chili sauce and it still tasted great) and instead of using a food processor, i just cut the bread up by hand. I used sharp cheddar cheese, because that is what i had, and it turned out very tasty! a good change to my normal brown sugar meatloaves.

    1 person found this review helpful

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    From: Mysterygirl

    On Apr 21, 2002

    This just became my family meatloaf recipe. It was great tasting and very moist. I used the ketchup with cheddar cheese and we loved it. I didn't even have trouble getting the center done by doing 2 loaves in a large pan. Thanks for posting the recipe.

    9 people found this review helpful

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  • From: Danielle in New Hampshire

    On Apr 7, 2002

    This meatloaf was awesome! Very moist and flavorful! The chili sauce was a wonderful addition. My husband loved it, it also makes great meatloaf sandwiches the next day!

    8 people found this review helpful

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  • Read all 24 reviews

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