COUNTRY HERBED MEAT LOAF

Country Herbed Meat Loaf image

I have three small children and I'm always trying new meat loaf recipes. This recipe is something I developed, and it's one of the first meat loaves that my kids really went for. See if your kids like it, too!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 2h

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

HERB SAUCE:
1/4 cup olive oil
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup water
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
MEAT LOAF:
2 pounds ground beef or combination of ground beef, pork and veal
1 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
3 tablespoons milk
2 large eggs, beaten

Steps:

In a skillet, heat oil on high. Saute the mushrooms; onion and garlic. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper and sugar. Remove 1-1/2 cups. Add water, bay leaf and basil to skillet. Simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Meanwhile, combine all meat loaf ingredients with 1-1/2 cups reserved sauce. press into a 9x5-in. loaf pan lined with waxed paper. Unmold onto a roasting pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°. Remove from oven; drain. Spread 1/2 cup of herb sauce over top of meat loaf. Return to oven for 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and serve remaining sauce over individual servings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 334 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 103mg cholesterol, Sodium 625mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.