Beef and Potato Meatloaf, and memories of Fern and Dale.

Sometimes when we work in the kitchen, a childhood memory comes along to inspire. This recipe is the result of one such memory, and the meatloaf ain't bad either! Beef and Potato Meatloaf is that recipe, from memories of a warm fall day, at the home of family friends. 

Years ago my folks used to gather with other couples for sausage making day. 

Usually out in the country at the home of Fern and Dale, a couple that seemed to be friends with just about everyone. Their house had all the usual signs of rural farm life. Pigs in the pen, a low voltage electric single wire fence to keep all the animals where they needed to be. As well as chickens and a large coop and run. My guess was there was also a large garden space somewhere as well. And Fern's big country kitchen. Usually the women worked inside and the men outside. As the hog was butchered and ground, the ground pork came into the house and the women worked the spices and flavorings into the meat and then then men helped with the sausage stuffer. 

Kids were running around, playing mostly, but always one or two getting into a bit of trouble. 

It was not unusual for Fern to holler out the kitchen window to stop doing what ever was being done, usually because it was one of her very own grandsons! As I recall the boys loved hearing the buzz of a stick on the low level electric fencing. I swear she could hear that buzz, all the way in the kitchen...and she took care of it in an instant! Fern always offered a big dinner for all the helpers, and there was always lots of conversation, laughter and stories to tell! Such good times to remember. And memories that have stayed with me for decades. 

A lot of sausage was made that day, big batches of three or four different recipes.

Including one I was quite fond of, simply called Potato Sausage. Ground pork, was mixed with ground onions and twice the potatoes in weight, along with spices and salt. It seemed the mixing went on for a long time to get all the different ingredients mixed together so the flavor would be consistent through the entire batch. Kneading really, and since most women baked bread, each was an experienced kneader! Then the sausage stuffer went to work. When the day was done, each family was given a package of each type of sausage to take home and the rest went into the freezer on the farm. 

When my own mom would cook up our package of potato sausage, 

I loved the creamy pieces of russet potato in among the pork and spices. I have never since that time found a recipe for potato sausage, but I never forgot how good it was either. Which got me to thinking why not use ground potatoes in a meatloaf? The first Beef and Potato Meatloaf I made was quite tasty, but I knew that instead of grating the potatoes, like I did, on the next round of development, I would grind them just like we did on sausage making day. And that was the ticket! This recipe makes a big meatloaf, but that is the way we like them! Meatloaf slices in the freezer are the perfect dinner for those busy days. A quick sauté in some butter and dinner is served! Come and take a look...

Some additional thoughts on this recipe:

Potatoes take the place of bread crumbs in this recipe. Russet potatoes are needed for the moist texture they add. I do not recommend red or Yukon gold potatoes for this recipe. 

Feel free to divide the meatloaf mixture in two for smaller loaves if desired, reduce baking time accordingly. 

As always feel free to add more or less of any of the spices. The sage may surprise you, but it is right at home in this meatloaf.

You may peel the potatoes if you wish.

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• ground beef
• onion
• russet potatoes
• oatmeal
• eggs
• salt and pepper
• sage
• garlic
• beef broth

You will also need the following:

• large mixing bowl
• food processor
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• large covered baking pan

Now we are ready to begin!

Beef and Potato Meatloaf

by the seat of my pants!

350-degree oven

2 - 21/2 pounds ground lean beef

1 large onion

2 - 3 large russet potatoes or the equivalent of smaller potatoes

1 c oatmeal

3 eggs

2 - 3 cloves of garlic

2 t salt - or to taste

1/4 t pepper - or to taste

1 t ground sage

2 c beef broth

Peel the onion and the garlic, cut the onion into one inch chunks. Wash and cut the potatoes into one inch chunks. Place the onion, garlic and the potatoes into the food processor and buzz off and on until finely ground. 

Add to the ground beef, oatmeal, salt and pepper and sage in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and begin mixing. If the mixture seems stiff or dry, add a bit of the beef froth. 

Shape into a large loaf or two smaller loaves, and put the meat into the baking pan. Pour the remaining both over the meat. Cover with the lid, and bake for one hour, remove the lid and bake for 30 minutes more. 

Remove from the oven and let rest 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with catsup or steak sauce if desired. 

Storage options for Beef and Potato Meatloaf. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage times slice and freeze for up to three months. Thaw before sautéing in a pan. Or reheat in the microwave.

 

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

You may also enjoy: 

Mini Pot Roast Dinner in Under an Hour. 

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

Thanks for stopping by!

We offer new and delicious recipes as well as DIY ideas for your home, regularly. Feel free to drop us an email request for any question or recipe you may be looking for. In addition, like all our guests, we invite you to come for a visit again and again for new recipes, and my down-home take on frugal ways to keep your home in tip top shape.

Hey you, don’t miss a post! Please consider following Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household. To follow by email, and/or by RSS feed, complete the application located on the right-hand side of the blog. Please Note, some posts may contain affiliate links, thank you for supporting Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household. 

PS, friends, and family who love good food and household ideas might love us too! Tell them about us, and thanks for the referral! 

You may also enjoy, Creative writing From the Heart... stories of life, living, and family. Now, From the Heart Vol II can be found here. 

Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household proudly shares with these generous link parties featured here.   

Printable "copy and paste" version:

Beef and Potato Meatloaf

by the seat of my pants!

350-degree oven

2 - 21/2 pounds ground lean beef

1 large onion

2 - 3  large potatoes or the equivalent of smaller potatoes

1 c oatmeal

3 eggs

2 - 3 cloves of garlic

2 t salt - or to taste

1/4 t pepper - or to taste

1 t ground sage

2 c beef broth

Peel the onion and the garlic, cut the onion into one inch chunks. Wash and cut the potatoes into one inch chunks. Place the onion, garlic and the potatoes into the food processor and buzz off and on until finely ground. 

Add to the ground beef, oatmeal, salt and pepper and sage in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and begin mixing. If the mixture seems stiff or dry, add a bit of the beef froth. 

Shape into a large loaf or two smaller loaves, and put the meat into the baking pan. Pour the remaining both over the meat. Cover with the lid, and bake for one hour, remove the lid and bake for 30 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let rest 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with catsup or steak sauce if desired. 

Storage options for Beef and Potato Meatloaf. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage times slice and freeze for up to three months. Thaw before sautéing in a pan. Or reheat in the microwave.