Not-Your-Mama’s Meatloaf

Buuuuut I’m also ready to dive face-first into all the comfort foods of fall. And if you don’t think meatloaf is one of the ultimate comfort foods, I have to tell you: you simply haven’t had meatloaf like this, and you should fix that right away.

Yeah, meatloaf is one of the least-sexy foods out there. It gets a bad rap from those greasy, unseasoned, falling-apart versions your friends’ mothers served growing up (never your own, of course). This meatloaf is none of those things: we’re baking it on a rack to cut down on grease and loading it with lightly-sauteed veggies and spices.

I promise you’ll be glad you gave this one a chance!

I know my own mom made meatloaf when I was little but I can’t really remember it. (That means I totally loved it, Mom.) It wasn’t really one of my go-tos until I started cooking for Kirk, because this is one of his absolute favorites. This is my bold attempt to convert everyone else!

Like everything else good in the kitchen, it’s all about the sauce.

The base of this glaze is Hot & Sweet Chili Jam from Trader Joe’s and I’m completely obsessed. I originally bought it for a cheese platter, but their Pepper Jelly (← all-time fav) is still the best with cheese – this chili jam is just a little too thick and spicy. But it’s totally EVERYTHING stirred into marinades and sauces.

If you don’t live near a TJs (like us, temporarily in Wyoming for the fall/winter – serious first world problems over here) you can just grab some regular pepper jelly and stir in a big dose of chopped red chiles and red pepper flakes.

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Not-Your-Mama's Meatloaf

If meatloaf with sweet & spicy glaze isn't your ultimate comfort food, you simply haven't had it like this - let's fix that right away.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 slices

Calories: 188kcal

Author: Mountain Cravings

Ingredients

• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper finely diced
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1 T. italian seasoning
• 1 t. red pepper flakes
• 1 t. salt
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 lb. ground beef

Sweet & Spicy Glaze

• 1/4 cup hot & sweet chili jam or pepper jelly + 1 T. red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 1 T. spicy mustard
• dash hot sauce

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Heat olive oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Saute bell pepper and onion until soft, then add garlic and saute another minute. Remove from heat.
• Combine bell pepper, onion, garlic, parsley, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add breadcrumbs and eggs, stirring until completely incorporated.
• Add ground beef to the bowl and mix thoroughly - hands are easiest!
• Whisk together all the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
• Place a baking rack over a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Spray rack with nonstick spray, then form meat mixture into an even loaf and set in the center of the rack.
• Brush the entire surface of the loaf with glaze, saving about one third.
• Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, brush with remaining glaze, and bake for another 15 minutes.

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