Bev’s Famous Meatloaf made quite an impression! Meatloaf can be one of those divisive dishes—some people love it, and some don’t. But when it’s done right, it can be comfort food at its finest.
Here are some of the things that make a meatloaf recipe great: balanced flavors, a moist texture, and a savory-sweet glaze that adds that extra something. The use of both ground beef and pork sausage likely contributes to the meatloaf’s rich flavor and moist texture, while the combination of Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar provides a balance of tangy and sweet notes. The choice to use crushed saltine crackers instead of breadcrumbs adds a different kind of texture and saltiness, which seems to work well in this case.
And let’s not forget the gravy! Homemade gravy can elevate a meatloaf from “good” to “extraordinary,” and this recipe delivers in that department as well. The pairing with garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini sounds absolutely delicious, creating a well-rounded meal that combines comfort with a touch of sophistication.
This recipe was deemed worthy of being a marriage-worthy meal due to its exceptional taste. As for the “marriage-worthy” question, it’s interesting how food can evoke such strong emotional responses and even be considered a factor in lifelong decisions like marriage. But as the saying goes, the way to a person’s heart is indeed through their stomach, and this meatloaf recipe seems to be doing its part to uphold that wisdom.
Ingredients:
- Lean ground beef
- Ground pork sausage
- Crushed saltine crackers
- Diced green bell peppers
- Finely chopped onion
- Large eggs
- Worcestershire sauce
- Yellow mustard
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Flour
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the Gravy:
- Juices drained from the cooked meatloaf
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the lean ground beef, ground pork sausage, crushed saltine crackers, diced green bell peppers, finely chopped onion, large eggs, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and ¼ cup of brown sugar. Mix well until evenly blended.
- Shape the mixture into a 10 x 5-inch loaf and place it in a lightly greased 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and drain the juices into a separate bowl. Set aside.
- Stir together the ketchup and the remaining brown sugar. Reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons for the gravy and pour the rest over the meatloaf.
- Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake until the thickest portion reaches 160°F (71°C), approximately 15 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is cooking, pour the juices drained from the meatloaf into a small saucepan. Heat them up and then add flour, stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of hot water to the reserved glaze (ketchup and brown sugar mixture) before adding it to the saucepan. Cook until the mixture bubbles, then remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Once the meatloaf is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Slice the meatloaf and serve with the prepared gravy and your favorite sides.
Note: This recipe is highly praised for its sweet and savory flavors, as well as its moist texture. The meatloaf pairs well with sides like mashed potatoes and vegetables, and its delicious taste makes it a standout dish.
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