Author's Note

Virginia, a main character in The Spy and the Homemaker loved taking care of her husband and three boys. She came from a large family and loved socializing with her neighbors and friends. Running after three active boys, she had to stay organized and looked for easy but yummy recipes.

Virginia’s Meatloaf

Step back in time with this classic early-Americana meatloaf recipe, a nostalgic blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and savory spices, topped with a rich, tangy tomato glaze that captures the comforting essence of traditional American home cooking. This hearty, simple-to-prepare dish, often served with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans, epitomizes the quintessential family dinner of the post-war era, bringing a taste of the past to today's table.

Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup milk (or ¾ cup cream)
  • 2 eggs, beaten (or just mix in with hands)
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (Optional)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2
# indicates possible substitutions
Substitutions
  1. For: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef use: mix 1 pound ground beef or turkey and ½ pound sausage
  2. For: 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce use: See recipe to make your own Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Sweat the onions and bell peppers in a skillet over medium heat using a small amount of cooking oil.
  3. Prepare the Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten eggs, cooked chopped onion and peppers
  4. Season the Mixture: Add salt, black pepper, dried mustard, ketchup, and ground allspice to the mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
  5. Shape the Meatloaf: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a baking dish or on a lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  7. Glaze (Optional): During the last 15 minutes of baking, you can brush the top of the meatloaf with additional ketchup for a glaze.
  8. Rest and Serve: Allow the meatloaf to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve slices with your favorite side dishes.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Serves: 8 Servings

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Updated: 3 months ago

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