Meatloaf Surprise
"I'm usually not big on meatloaf but I do like this one - another special from my Italian sister-in-law. Served with a tossed salad, it makes a perfect weeknight family meal."
- Ready In:
- 1hr 15mins
- Ingredients:
- 20
- Serves:
-
6
ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 small red pepper, cored,deseeded & chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1⁄2 cup soft white breadcrumb
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup short pasta (fusilli, macaroni, etc.)
-
CHEESE SAUCE
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- salt
- pepper
- 2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
directions
- Prepare meat mixture: Melt butter in pot over medium heat; saute onion, pepper& garlic until onion is translucent- about 4 minutes.
- Put meat into a large bowl& mash it with a wooden spoon until it becomes a sticky paste.
- Add the fried vegetables, bread crumbs, cayenne, lemon juice, lemon rind& parsley.
- Season with salt& pepper, combine well and set aside.
- Prepare cheese sauce: Melt butter in a pot; stir in flour& cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually pour in milk, stirring constsntly.
- Stir in cream and season with nutmeg, salt& pepper.
- Simmer for 5 minutes to thicken& reduce sauce.
- Lower heat, stir in cheeses and stir until melted.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling, salted water until el dente.
- Drain well& stir into cheese sauce.
- Lightly grease a 2 lb loaf tin.
- Spoon in half the meat mixture& level the surface.
- Cover with the pasta mixture.
- Spoon in the rest of the meat mixture.
- Cover with tin foil and bake in preheated 350F oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue cooking for another 15 minutes.
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Reviews
-
I added an egg to the meat mixture, but otherwise followed the recipe. I really liked the addition of the pasta, I think it helped to keep the meat nice and moist, but I will personally add some chopped bacon and anchovy stuffed green olives to this the next time I make it. This whole meatloaf was enough for 3 of us. -
As you can see I am big on Meatloaf and this one was also excellent. I loved the use of the pasta in this one. One pot meal. I served a simple vege salad at the side and we were sorted out for lunch. Omitted the parmesan cheese but stuck to the rest of the recipe. Today is your day at my place. Thank you :) Fay
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
In the words of Tracy Byrd, "I'm from the country & I like it that way"!!
On May 1, 2008 my husband and I started a new adventure. We'll be living in a 37 foot RV while our new home is under construction. Its out in the country on a dead end dirt road with lots of trees. For the next 4 months or so, most meals will be cooked on the BBQ and life will be full of challenges!
We love spending quality time with our friends & family - especially the grandkids!! The photo is 4 generations - my 84 year old mother, myself, my daughter & my youngest granddaughter - taken at the end of 2006.
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