Ah, meatloaf—the humble hero of comfort food! This Pioneer Woman meatloaf is the kind of dish that whisks you back to grandma’s kitchen, where the aroma of baking fills the air like a cozy hug. It’s a culinary masterpiece that’s anything but pretentious, with a tangy glaze that might just make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Steps
- Tear six slices of white sandwich bread into a bowl and pour milk over them to soak. Allow the bread to absorb the milk thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Add the soaked bread, eggs, salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, include minced garlic for extra flavor.
- Wash your hands thoroughly, then mix all the ingredients until they are well combined. Shape the mixture into a loaf on a broiler pan.
- Lay thin slices of bacon over the meatloaf, overlapping them slightly and tucking the ends underneath until the loaf is fully covered.
- Prepare a sauce by mixing ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco to taste. Pour a third of this sauce over the bacon-covered loaf and spread it evenly.
- Bake the meatloaf in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove it from the oven, spread another third of the sauce over the top, and return it to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.
- Once cooked, slice the meatloaf and serve it with the remaining sauce on the side for dipping. Pair it with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or cheese grits for a comforting meal. Enjoy leftovers by making meatloaf sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of white sandwich bread
- Milk, enough to soak the bread
- Ground beef
- Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano Reggiano
- Chopped parsley
- Eggs
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: Finely minced garlic
- Thin slices of bacon
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Dry mustard
- Tabasco sauce, to taste
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of bread for the meatloaf?
- Yes, you can substitute the white sandwich bread with crusty artisan bread if you prefer. However, the soft, white bread adds a comforting texture to the meatloaf.
- Is it necessary to use Parmigiano Reggiano cheese?
- No, it’s not essential to use Parmigiano Reggiano. You can use any Parmesan cheese that you have on hand.
- What type of bacon should I use for covering the meatloaf?
- It’s best to use thin slices of bacon to cover the meatloaf. The thinner, the better, to ensure it cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.
- Can I add other ingredients to the meatloaf mixture?
- Yes, you can add finely minced garlic for extra flavor, although it’s optional.
- What can I serve with the meatloaf?
- The meatloaf pairs well with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or even cheese grits. You can also use any leftover meatloaf for sandwiches the next day.
Tips
- Soak the bread in milk thoroughly to achieve a soft texture in your meatloaf. Using softer white bread can enhance the comfort food aspect, but crusty artisan bread is also an option if preferred.
- Ensure your hands are clean before mixing the meatloaf ingredients by washing them with soap and water. Mixing by hand ensures the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Use thin slices of bacon to cover the meatloaf. This helps the bacon cook evenly and become crispy, enhancing the overall flavor and texture.
- Prepare a ketchup-based sauce for the meatloaf, adding brown sugar and dry mustard for sweetness and spice. Apply the sauce in stages during baking to create a glossy, flavorful glaze.
Equipment
- Broiler/Drip Pan – This is essential for shaping and cooking the meatloaf, allowing the fat to drip away.
- UV Light Sanitizer – Although humorously mentioned, this item is typically not found in most kitchens.
