~~Mom’s Meatloaf~~

I consider meatloaf as one of the basic comfort foods, low cost, easy to make and there are an endless number of recipes. This was the one that I liked growing up.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (My mom used ground meat with a high fat content, it adds favor to the meatloaf.)
• 1 can (10 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup (Do not mix with water or milk)
• ¾ cup chicken-flavored bread stuffing mix (such as Kraft® Stove Top®)
• 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt to taste (I’m on a low salt diet so I don’t add salt.)

Directions:

• Heat the oven to 350°F.   
• While the oven is heating, season the beef with salt. Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl by hand. Do not over mix!
• Mix the stuffing on slightly the dry side and place stuffing on the bottom of a 9x5x3-inch baking pan (non-stick or grease the pan) and press in shape firmly into the pan.
• Place the beef mixture on top of the stuffing and pat down (The idea is that the juices from the meat will be adsorbed by the stuffing.
• Spread the condensed tomato soup on top (Don't not add water or milk, just the straight condensed soup) You might not need the whole can of soup.
• Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Allow to cool in loaf pan for 5 minutes, then slice and serve!

Variations:

• Use another condensed soups like Cream of Mushrooms or Cream of Celery
• Add chopped cooked bacon
• Substitute dry onion soup & dip mix for the onion, and Worcestershire sauce.