"Yesterday's Meatloaf is today's Sloppy Joes"

Anyone remember those lyrics?  If not that's probably a good thing!  Mr. Bacon and I were taking a walk down memory lane listening to old songs we remembered on YouTube the other day.  Some he was even letting the kids listen to.  I found out that they actually do appreciate some big hair bands as well as a little Lunch Lady Land!  Mostly they just laughed at the video.  Anyway, I'm thankful to say this meatloaf will not become tomorrow's sloppy joes!  It's way too good (even as leftovers) to eat it any other way.

Last year I was looking for a good meatloaf recipe.  Meatloaf is a comfort food and is there anything better than comfort food?  It warms you up and makes you feel all cozy inside.  My friend Nancy was happy to share hers.  She said her boys would eat a whole pan at a time it was that good.  So I thought if her kids at it, surely mine would too right?  Yes indeed I was right.  Want to try it out too? Read on!


Nancy's Meatloaf:
1.5 lbs burger (beef or turkey or a mix works fine I've found)
12 saltine crackers- crushed
3/4 cup milk
1 egg beaten
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 TBSP Worcester sauce
1/4 tsp each- pepper, dry mustard, sage, celery salt, garlic salt
Ketchup to top

In a bowl or 1 cup measure cup, place milk, Worcester sauce and egg. Mix well.  In a large bowl place the burger, crackers, and seasonings.  Now if you don't have all the seasoning on hand, it's ok.  I for some reason didn't have everything either.  I did have pepper and sage.  I added 1/4 tsp more garlic powder instead of garlic salt, and I added roughly 1 tsp yellow mustard from the fridge since I couldn't find my dry mustard.  And don't ask me where the celery salt went either?  Seems like the pantry monster has been hungry around here lately, or maybe playing tricks on my by hiding my spices?

Next comes the messy part, Mixing.  Dump the milk mix into the meat and spices and mix away. I do this with my hands, it's the best way I've found to make sure everything gets mixed well.  If you choose to use a spoon that's fine too. Just make sure it's mixed up really well.  Next take out a 9x13 pan and grease it well.

Spread your meat mixture in the pan and shape it into a loaf.  You can also grease muffin tins and fill them with the meat mix and have mini meat loafs too. The kids love that. My friend Nancy uses a special silicone heart pan she bought for a special, always requested valentines meatloaf dinner.  Hey have fun with it, the more creative, the more kids like it right?!

Once you have your loaf, squirt ketchup over the top of it.  Place it in a preheated 350* 

oven and let it bake for 1.5 hours. 

Here is mine all snug in the oven!  We had baked potatoes and squash with it as you can see. 

Nothing like all the mess in the oven baking while I play with the kids!

How can you say no to a slice of meatloaf?  This recipe is amazing and always comes out moist.  Thank you Nancy for sharing your recipe with me! It's a family favorite here.