Meatloaf Magic

Meatloaf can be so much more than bland. It is one of those dishes, like soup, that can be made a hundred different ways with a hundred different ingredients. Start with the meat.

1 - 2 lbs lean ground beef
You can try mixing other ground meats with the ground beef.

Basic: 1 egg
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce
1 tsp onion powder
1 tomato diced

Beautiful:
1/2 cup pesto sauce
diced tomato

Bold:
1/2 cup seasoned diced tomatoes
1 clove crushed garlic
oregano
basil
1 egg

1. Roll up your sleeves, wash your hands and plunge them in. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
2. Drop the meat 'batter' into a loaf pan or two depending upon what you have available.Cook in 350 F oven for 45 min to 1 hour. The meat must be cooked brown. You might want to drain of the fat part way through cooking. Drain fat off when cooked.
3. Remove from pan slice thin for gourmet presentation or thick for a comfort food meal.

Leftovers:

1. In a non-stick skillet with 1 tsp of olive oil layer some thinly sliced onion and crushed garlic, frozen peas (other favorite frozen veg) or washed asparagus, thin slices of leftover meatloaf. Pour small amount of water into bottom of pan. Place on medium heat and cover. The liquid will steam up through the food, cooking the vegetables and heating the meatloaf on top. Takes about 15 - 20 minutes. All the liquid should be cooked off.
3. Sliced thin, layered on crusty buns with tomato and cheese and toasted under the grill. Season as desired.