Momma’s Meatloaf Recipe

You may be asking, what’s so special about meatloaf? You won’t need to ask after tasting this recipe. Chopping onions and peppers has never been fun for me. This recipe makes it quick and easy with less mess. This has been our families recipe for years.

Things You’ll Need:

1 1/2 lbs. Hamburger
One Egg
1 cup Crackers or Breadcrumbs
1 to 1 1/2 cups Mild Salsa (you can substitute med. or hot salsa if you like)
Ketchup (optional)
Non-stick spray
Turkey burger (optional)
Sausage (optional)

Your meatloaf begins by pre-heating your oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat your bake ware (I like Corning Ware) with Pam non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, put about 1 1/2 pounds of Hamburger/Ground Turkey/Sausage. We use 1/2 pound of each but you can use 1 1/2 of any one or use two meats. Just use about 1 1/2 total meat.

Add one egg to your burger mixture and  1 cup of Pace salsa (you can add more less to taste).

Crumble a pack of Nabisco Multi-grain Saltine crackers (or if using Rienzi bread crumbs, about 1 cup). You may need to add more crackers to get your burger to hold it’s shape. Don’t use too many crackers or your meatloaf will be dry.

With your hands, mix well until combined completely.

Form into a loaf with your hands. If you like, you can put a layer of ketchup over your loaf before baking.

Place into oven, covered, for about 1 hour (check to make sure the center is done).

When meatloaf is finished, serve with Heinz ketchup for anyone who wants to add ketchup.

Tips & Warnings
1. If your meatloaf is thin and long, check after 30 minutes. If your meatloaf is small but fat, reduce the heat to 375 degrees and cook for 1 1/2 hours.

2. To make this while camping,  use two foil pans. Poke holes in the pan that has the meatloaf then sit that pan inside the other pan (this is to catch the grease and keep it from getting into the fire). Cover your pans with aluminum foil. Then put the pans on the grill. Check often to make sure it cooks without burning.

3. If you want a healthier meatloaf, use only ground turkey and reduce the fat.

4. Be careful when removing your meatloaf from heat for it will be hot.

5. Make sure the center of your meatloaf is cooked all the way. Sometimes the sides  cook faster than the inside. If this happens, reduce the temperature and add more time to the cooking.

6. Because everyones oven cooks at different rates,  times and temperatures may vary. The first time you cook this, pay attention to how your oven cooks. Make the adjustments needed and enjoy!