Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce, divided
• 1 cup soft bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Measure 1/4 cup tomato sauce, brown sugar and mustard into small bowl; set aside for topping. Add remaining tomato sauce, Ground Beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire, thyme, garlic salt and pepper to large bowl; mix thoroughly but lightly.

2. Shape beef mixture into 8 x 4-1/2-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan. Spread topping over meatloaf. Bake in 350°F oven 1 hour or until instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 160°F.

   Cook's Tip:

   Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

3. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Cut into slices.
   
   Four-Pepper Meatloaf Variation: Prepare meatloaf as above, adding 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper to Ground Beef mixture. 
   
   Picadillo-Style Meatloaf Variation: Prepare meatloaf as above, omitting thyme and adding 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 cup raisins, 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed, to Ground Beef mixture.

Alternative Cooking Method

1. Recipe can be made in a 8-quart Air Fryer. Heat Air Fryer to 350°F. Shape beef mixture into 8 x 4-1/2-inch loaf on a sheet tray. Bake at 350°F  for  35 to 45 minutes. For the last 10 minutes of cooking spread topping over meatloaf and continue to cook until instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 160°F. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Cut into slices.