Italian Meatloaf

 Ingredients:

1/2 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 C. chopped bell pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. parsley

1 egg, beaten

3/4 C. crushed ritz crackers (or you could use Italian bread crumbs)

2 slices white bread, crumbled

1 T. milk

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, reserve 3/4 C. for topping (I used colby jack) 

1/4 C. parmesan cheese

1 C. marinara sauce, plus 1/2 -3/4 C. more for topping

In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over med. high heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes, remove from heat. In a large bowl, add the meats, onion and peppers along with all remaining ingredients reserving 3/4 C. mozzarella cheese for topping. Combine everything well. Once it has all come together, place and mold the mixture in a baking dish of your choice.

Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 C. of the marinara sauce on top and spread around. Place in a 400 degree oven for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle a little dry basil over the top. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Make sure the meat is not pink before serving, baking time will vary depending on the thickness of your loaf.

I've never been a meatloaf fan but this was phenomenal. Almost like a noodle free lasagna. 

Twice-Baked Potato Pie with BBQ Meatloaf Crust

Ingredients:

Mashed Potatoes:

1 packet of Idahoan loaded baked potato mix.  Make as directed and add a bit of butter, salt & pepper, dash of garlic and some jalapeno cream cheese.   Or you can make your own loaded mashed from scratch. 

BBQ Meatloaf:

1 lb ground beef

½ cup crushed saltine crackers

½ cup minced onion

½ tsp salt

½ tsp montreal steak seasoning

½ tsp minced garlic or garlic powder

1 egg

3 tbsp plus 3 tbsp BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray’s)

Toppings:

shredded cheese

green onions

cooked, diced bacon

diced tomatoes

Directions: 

Make mashed potatoes as directed.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine uncooked beef, crackers, onion, salt, garlic powder, egg and 3 tbsp BBQ sauce. Press into ungreased 9" pie plate or 9" square baking dish and up the sides to form the crust. Brush meatloaf with remaining 3 tbsp BBQ sauce.

Cover with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with tomatoes, bacon and green onions (or any other toppings you want!).