Copycat Ponderosa Meatloaf Recipes

PAULA DEEN'S MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, stir together ground beef, salt, pepper, onion, bell pepper, egg, tomatoes, and oats. Place the mixture in a loaf pan. Press the surface lightly with your palm to flatten the top.
• To make the topping, combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread it on top of the loaf.
• Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The center should be at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking so that it holds together better while slicing.

MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a stand mixer, mix the beef, cracker crumbs, egg, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and onion until just blended. Shape the mixture into two loaves and place side by side crosswise in a 9-by-13-by-2-inch pan. Bake the loaves for 1 hour, or until they are browned. Transfer to a platter immediately and allow the loaves to cool slightly and firm up before slicing.
• For sandwich: cut 2 thick slices of cooled meatloaf and place on white bread with lettuce and tomato. If you've never had a cold meatloaf sandwich the next day, you don't know what you're missing

OUR FAVORITE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or 13x9" shallow baking dish with foil. Soak breadcrumbs in milk in a large bowl until ready to use.
• Pulse onion, celery, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. (Alternatively, you can finely chop by hand.)
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion mixture, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in Worcestershire, and scrape into bowl with breadcrumb mixture. Add beef, pork, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and remaining 1 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper, then mix with your hands to combine.
• Form meatloaf mixture into a long, well-packed, approximately 5"-wide loaf shape on prepared baking sheet. Brush top of loaf with 1/4 cup ketchup. Bake meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 155°F, 60-75 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with more ketchup alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Meatloaf can be made 3 days ahead; wrap in foil and chill, or freeze for up to 3 months.