What’s for Dinner: Perfect Meatloaf Recipe

Drew loves meatloaf, but I had never had a meatloaf I really enjoyed. I always thought they were dry and flavorless and needed a ton of ketchup.
But since Drew constantly requested meatloaf for dinner, I started trying out different recipes. While I never found a perfect meatloaf, I think learning from all the ones I attempted help me create my own and Drew swears it is his favorite.  So, here’s the recipe!

 

Not only are the ingredients a component, there are a  couple of tips and tricks that really make a difference in how well meatloaf turns out. Watch this recipe video for a full explanation/ demonstration.

INGREDIENTS:
-2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
-1 large yellow onion, chopped finely
-2 bell peppers, chopped finely (I use red and orange)
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1/2 tsp dried thyme
-2 lbs ground turkey
-1 lb ground chuck
-1/2 cup rolled oats
-1/3 cup milk
-2 tbsps Worcestershire
-1 cup tomato/spaghetti sauce
-2 tsp cajun seasoning
-1 tsp Greek seasoning|
-1 tbsp tomato paste
-2 eggs, beaten
-1 tsp salt
-1/2 tsp black pepper
-1/4 cup ketchup
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-2 tsp mustard

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Heat a sautée pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, onion, and
bell peppers.  Stir occassionally until onions are translucent, about
5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and thym and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring
occasionally. Set aside for later.
4. In a large bowl, add ground turkey, ground beef, oats, milk,
Worcestershire, tomato sauce, cajun seasoning, Greek
seasoning, tomato paste, eggs, salt, pepper, and cooked veggies
from steps 1 and 2.
5. With a fork, fluff/ mix everything gently. You want to keep it
aerated and light, not condensed.
6. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard and set aside.
(If you like a thicker coating on meatloaf, double this recipe.)
7. On a sheet tray, mold the meatloaf into an even loaf shape. Add
the topping mixture from step 5 evenly to cover all of the tops and
sides of the meatloaf.
*Important tip* Before putting meatloaf into oven, place a baking dish
with warm water on a rack below the meatloaf. The evaporating water
will keep the meatloaf moist.
8. Place meatloaf in the oven for 1 hour and 15 min, or until its internal
temperature reaches 155-160 degrees.
9. Let rest for at lest 10 minute before slicing. Enjoy!

If you give this recipe a try, let me know what you think!

Perfect Meatloaf

Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 bell peppers, finely chopped I use red and orange for great color
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 1 lb ground chuck
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup tomato/ spaghetti sauce
  • 2 tsp Greek seasoning
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp mustard yellow or dijon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Heat a sautée pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, onion, and bell peppers.  Stir occasionally until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add garlic and thyme and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside for later.
  • In a large bowl, add ground turkey, ground beef, oats, milk,Worcestershire, tomato sauce, cajun seasoning, Greekseasoning, tomato paste, eggs, salt, pepper, and cooked veggiesfrom steps 1 and 2.
  • With a fork, fluff/ mix everything gently. You want to keep itaerated and light, not condensed.
  • Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard and set aside.(If you like a thicker coating on meatloaf, double this recipe.)
  • On a sheet tray, mold the meatloaf into an even loaf shape. Addthe topping mixture from step 5 evenly to cover all of the tops andsides of the meatloaf.
    *Important tip* Before putting meatloaf into oven, place a baking dishwith warm water on a rack below the meatloaf. The evaporating waterwill keep the meatloaf moist.
  • Place meatloaf in the oven for 1 hour and 15 min, or until its internaltemperature reaches 155-160 degrees.
  • Let rest for at lest 10 minute before slicing. Enjoy!
Keyword meatloaf, perfect meatloaf, recipe, amy westerman, veggie meatloaf, best meatloaf,

What’s For Dinner? Colorful Couscous

You know how you have your go-to recipes for quick dishes that are always reliably delicious. This one is one of mine. It is couscous with lots of veggies and flavor and it is SO easy, and healthy. Wanna give it a try? Here’s the recipe.

Recipe Video


Ingredients
-1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
-4 bell peppers (use as many colors as you can)
-3 medium shallots
-2 tablespoons minced garlic (2 large cloves)
-1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
-1 egg (optional)
-1 cup couscous
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon pepper

Directions
1. Finely chop your bell peppers, shallots, and garlic.
2. On medium heat, put your extra virgin olive oil in a sautee pan. Add your chopped bell peppers and shallots and stir occasionally for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add your minced garlic and stir occasionally for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Add your salt and pepper while veggies are sauteeing.
5. After 2-3 minutes, add your stock and turn the heat up to medium high until
boiling.
6. Add your couscous and turn the heat off. Stir to make sure the couscous is
evenly covered in the stock. Put a lid on, and let sit for 5-6 minutes.
7. Use a fork to fluff up the finished product and enjoy!
Bonus: Add a fried egg to the top to make it extra decadent. 

Colorful Couscous

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 bell peppers use as many colors as you can
  • 3 medium shallots
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or 2 tbsps minced garlic
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 egg (optional)
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop your bell peppers, shallots, and garlic.
  • On medium heat, put your extra virgin olive oil in a sautee pan. Add your chopped bell peppers and shallots and stir occasionally for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add your minced garlic and stir occasionally for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Add your salt and pepper while veggies are sauteeing.
  • After 2-3 minutes, add your stock and turn the heat up to medium high until boiling.
  • Add your couscous and turn the heat off. Stir to make sure the couscous is evenly covered in the stock. Put a lid on, and let sit for 5-6 minutes.
  • Use a fork to fluff up the finished product and enjoy! Bonus: Add a fried egg to the top to make it extra decadent. 
Keyword colorful couscous, couscous, vegetables, recipe, amy westerman,