BEST-EVER MEAT LOAF

Best-Ever Meat Loaf image

The combination of onion, carrots, parsley and cheese-plus the tomato-mustard topping-makes this meat loaf really colorful. The recipe lends itself easily to being doubled or halved to suit the number you're cooking for, and it freezes well, too. It's the best meatloaf ever! -Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 large eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
3 slices bread, torn
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 cup shredded cheddar or part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil, thyme or sage, optional
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
TOPPING:
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard

Steps:

In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and bread; let stand until liquid is absorbed. Stir in the onion, carrot, cheese and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. , Shape into a 7-1/2x3-1/2x2-1/2-in. loaf in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes. , Combine the topping ingredients; spoon half of the mixture over meat loaf. Bake 30 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink and a thermometer reads 160°, occasionally spooning remaining topping over loaf. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 398 calories, Fat 17g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 164mg cholesterol, Sodium 771mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein.