Meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 cup soft bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Ingredients for the Topping:

• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Measure 1/4 cup tomato sauce; combine with topping ingredients. Set aside.
2. Combine remaining tomato sauce with remaining meatloaf ingredients in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
3. Shape beef mixture into 8 x 4-1/2-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan. Spread topping over meatloaf. Bake in 350°F oven 1 hour, until instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 160°F.
4. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Cut into slices.

Four-Pepper Meatloaf Variation

1. Prepare meatloaf as above, adding 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper to Ground Beef mixture.

Picadillo-Style Meatloaf Variation:

1. Prepare meatloaf as above, omitting thyme and adding 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 cup raisins, 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed, to Ground Beef mixture.