Basic Everyday Meatloaf! And, let's talk meatloaf...

Meatloaf is the perfect prep ahead dinner, come and take a look at Basic Everyday Meatloaf plus ideas for freezer storage for those busy days we all seem to have, season after season!

Meatloaf is one of those meal ideas that can save the day or bring about the dreaded, meh! 

While not everyone loves meatloaf, we do in this house. And one of the reasons I like meatloaf, is because you can make it a thousand different ways. There is nothing more changeable than a bowl of ground meat. For me, meatloaf means ground beef. But I know many folks who like to add ground pork, or bulk sausage. And others who enjoy using ground turkey in their meatloaf. 

Meatloaf has always been my go-to for a frugal meal that everyone enjoys. 

And it still is. However I do things a bit differently with it being only the two of us. But this technique works for any sized family, and your meatloaf (no matter the recipe you prefer) will be tastier with an added touch of frugal! The secret? Meatloaf that is baked, then sliced and stored in the freezer. Perfect for leftover meatloaf as well as prepping ahead a meatloaf to have already baked, sliced and ready, in your freezer. To serve you simply thaw and sauté the slices in a bit of butter to brown the outside adding a delicious rich flavor. 

Watching those meatloaf dinners coming from the kitchen, changed my mind.

This was new to me, until I went out to dinner with family and saw plate after plate of meatloaf coming out of the restaurant kitchen!  My first snarky thought was, "who goes out to dinner and orders meatloaf?!" and then I answered my own question when I realized, only everyone who loves a good meatloaf dinner! But I ask your forgiveness as I qualify my snarky-ness...You see I don't order anything off the menu that I can make at home, for me eating out is enjoying something I don't make at home or is a special treat I look forward to. 

A great idea is always worth learning about!

Since it was my first time at this restaurant I had no idea how they served their meatloaf dinner, and then my daughter told me about the process of sautéing slices of meatloaf before being plated. But of course, what a great idea! If there is one thing you can always count on from a successful restaurant, it is unique and delicious ways to present food. And why not use those same ideas in your own home, for your own family...

It won't matter which meatloaf recipe you use, so you might as well use your favorite, but should you be looking for something new to serve the family, I have a few of our favorites to share with you.

Meatloaf from 72 Market Street Cafe. 

Melt in Your Mouth Meat Loaf, a slow cooker recipe.

Stovetop Braised Meatloaf. 

Meatloaf slices in the freezer, means dinner is quick and easy!

But this just might be the best part! Since meatloaf freezes so well, it is the perfect prep ahead dinner. Simply bake, cool, slice and wrap the meatloaf slices individually or in packages that will serve your family, and freeze. And this prep ahead technique is perfect for smaller families too! When it is time for dinner, simply pull enough meatloaf slices out from the freezer, let them thaw in the refrigerator and sauté in butter before serving. 

Add a vegetable and some mashed or baked potatoes and dinner is done. Perfect for busy days and no waste or leftovers. I usually serve our first dinner from the baked meatloaf then slice and freeze the rest to take advantage of this technique.

For those who enjoy a meatloaf that is very basic, I offer this easy and quick to put together Basic Everyday Meatloaf, that can be easily adjusted for your own preferences regarding salt, pepper and onion. You will notice that I use both bread and oatmeal in meatloaf. I use oats where ever I can because they are so good for us. But when used as the only binder in meatloaf it tends to produce a gummy texture that I simply do not care for. Through the years I have found that using a 50/50 mix of bread and oats gives just the right texture. My husband loves this simple meatloaf served with a bit of spicy BBQ sauce. 

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• lean ground beef
• milk
• whole wheat bread
• oatmeal
• egg
• dried onion pieces
• salt
• pepper

You will also need the following:

• medium sized mixing bowl
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• small baking pan

Now we are ready to begin!

Basic Everyday Meatloaf

by the seat of my pants!

350-degree oven

1 1/2 pound lean ground beef

1 slice whole wheat bread

1/2 c rolled oats

3/4 c milk

1 egg

2 - 3 T dried onion pieces or to taste

1/2 t salt or to taste

fresh ground pepper to taste

Crumble the fresh bread into a medium sized mixing bowl, pour the milk over the bread making sure that all of the bread is submerged in the milk. Let stand about 5 minutes. 

Add the oats, the egg, ground beef, dried onion along with salt and pepper to taste. Using your hands, mix everything together. There should be no streaked of egg or large pieces of bread. 

Shape into a loaf in a small rectangle pan, bake for 56 to 60 minutes or until done in your oven. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve or wrap and freeze for future meals.  

How to pan sauté meatloaf:

In a large frying pan, add a know of butter, heat pan over medium high heat. Add meatloaf slices and let brown adjusting heat as necessary to prevent burning, carefully turn over and brown the other side, serve immediately. 

Storage options for Basic Everyday Meatloaf. Store wrapped in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or, slice (wrap individually if desired) place in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to three months. Let thaw in the refrigerator. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Basic Everyday Meatloaf has been included below. 

You might also enjoy: 

Chinese Spaghetti. 

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#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

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Printable "copy and paste" version:

Basic Everyday Meatloaf

by the seat of my pants!

350-degree oven

1 1/2 pound lean ground beef

1 slice whole wheat bread

1/2 c rolled oats

3/4 c milk

1 egg

2 T dried onion pieces or to taste

1/2 t salt or to taste

fresh ground pepper to taste

Crumble the fresh bread into a medium sized mixing bowl, pour the milk over the bread making sure that all of the bread is submerged in the milk. Let stand about 5 minutes. 

Add the oats, the egg, ground beef, dried onion along with salt and pepper to taste. Using your hands, mix everything together. There should be no streaked of egg or large pieces of bread. 

Shape into a loaf in a small rectangle pan, bake for 56 to 60 minutes or until done in your oven. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve or wrap and store for future meals.  

How to pan sauté meatloaf:

In a large frying pan, add a know of butter, heat pan over medium high heat. Add meatloaf slices and let brown adjusting heat as necessary to prevent burning, carefully turn over and brown the other side, serve immediately. 

Storage options for Basic Everyday Meatloaf. Store wrapped in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or, slice (wrap individually if desired) place in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to three months. Let thaw in the refrigerator. 

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