The secrets to this meatloaf are fresh, very finely diced vegetables that give it moisture and flavor–and a light touch in mixing together the ingredients. This hearty meatloaf is the perfect meal for cool fall and winter evenings, served with mashed potatoes and simple mushroom gravy.
Ingredients
Meatloaf Ingredients:
1 carrot, coarsely chopped
1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
½ onion, coarsely chopped
½ red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
4 white mushrooms, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 ½ pounds ground chuck
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
Glaze Ingredients:
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
hot pepper sauce to taste
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Step 2: Place the carrot, celery, onion, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until very finely chopped, almost to a puree. Place the minced vegetables into a large mixing bowl, and mix in ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Add Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix gently with a wooden spoon to incorporate vegetables and egg into the meat. Pour in bread crumbs. With your hand, gently mix in the crumbs with your fingertips just until combined, about 1 minute.
Step 3: Form the meatloaf into a ball. Pour olive oil into a baking dish and place the ball of meat into the dish. Shape the ball into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across.
Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven just until the meatloaf is hot, about 15 minutes.