Meatloaf for Two

Growing up, I never fully appreciated mom's meatloaf but these days I make it regularly (with extra ketchup!)  I love eating it with mashed potatoes on the side and green beans or corn.  I hope you enjoy this meatloaf recipe especially portioned for two.

1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp thyme

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tbsp tomato sauce
1/2 cup unflavored bread crumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
4 slices bacon, cut in half
3/4 cup ketchup for topping

Directions:

In a medium saute pan, over medium-low heat, cook the onions, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme until translucent, but not browned, approximately 10 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste and mix well. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, and onion mixture in a large bowl. Mix well and shape into a rectangular loaf on an ungreased sheet pan. Place bacon strips on top of loaf.
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Take bacon off top and spread remaining ketchup on top. Bake 5-10 mins more until ketchup is warmed.

 

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

1/2 stick butter, softened, plus more for pan
7 medium russet or Yukon gold potatoes
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup milk
1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter an 8x8 baking dish.

Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove.

Add 1/2 stick butter and milk to a small saucepan and heat over low to medium heat until butter is melted.  In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, cream cheese, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper.  Pour the milk and butter mixture over the potato mixture and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Spread the potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Throw pats of the remaining butter over the top of the potatoes and bake until the butter is melted and the potatoes are warmed through, 20 to 30 minutes.