Devastatingly Delicious Meatloaf - the Best You Ever Had!!!!!!!!

Ingredients

• 1 lb 80% lean ground beef
• 8 ounces ground veal
• 8 ounces ground pork (Note ( A "meatloaf variety" pack of beef pork and veal may be used.)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup ground parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1/2 cup canned peeled tomato, drained and roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup finely diced celery
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 6 slices of raw bacon

mushroom gravy

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup dripping, from the meatloaf
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• coarse salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 425°F.

2. 2

   In a large bowl thoroughly combine the beef, pork, and veal.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, and then stir in the milk and oats.

4. 4

   Pour the egg mixture into the meat mixture and combine thoroughly.

5. 5

   Add the remaining ingredients and combine again until fully incorporated.

6. 6

   Form into a loaf in a roasting pan.

7. 7

   Cover meatloaf with the slices of raw bacon and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

8. 8

   Remove to a platter and keep warm while making the mushroom gravy. (Note: Be sure to reserve 1/2 cup drippings for the gravy.).

9. 9

   For the mushroom gravy: Pour the water into the meatloaf's roasting pan and stir and scrape with a wooden spoon or whisk to loosen the browned bits at the bottom.

10. 10

    Pour the reserved meatloaf drippings into a 2-quart saucepan and warm over medium heat.

11. 11

    Gradually stir in the flour until smooth. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is slightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

12. 12

    Slowly stir in the liquid from the roasting pan and cook, stirring, until thickened.

13. 13

    Season with salt and pepper to taste.