Ann's Old Fashioned Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 lbs 80% lean ground beef (20% fat)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 2/3 cup catsup
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce, plus
• tomato sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Saute vegetables in oil until carrots are soft.

2. 2

   Add garlic and saute about 1-2 minutes longer.

3. 3

   Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

4. 4

   In a large bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, and cooled vegetables.

5. 5

   In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and catsup until combined.

6. 6

   Pour egg mixture over beef and mix with hands, handling just enough to combine evenly.

7. 7

   Do not overmix, or it will be too dry.

8. 8

   Pat mixture gently into greased loaf pan, but do not press down too firmly.

9. 9

   Pour 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the top and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1-1/4 hours.

10. 10

    Place on a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

11. 11

    Cut into thick slices and serve warm or cold with extra tomato sauce, if desired.

12. 12

    I use crushed, canned tomatoes sometimes and that is very good too.