Paula Deen's Old-Fashioned Meatloaf is a classic Southern comfort food that brings warmth and nostalgia to any dinner table. This hearty dish combines lean ground beef with vegetables and oats, topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. It's perfect for family meals and leftovers make for delicious sandwiches the next day.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef

• 1¼ teaspoons salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• ½ cup chopped onion

• ½ cup chopped bell pepper

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• 1 cup (240 ml) canned diced tomatoes with juice

• ½ cup quick-cooking oats

For the Topping:

• ⅓ cup (80 ml) ketchup

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

 Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, beaten egg, diced tomatoes with juice, and quick-cooking oats. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

3. Transfer the meat mixture into a baking dish and shape it into a loaf.

4. In a separate small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard to create the topping.

5. Spread the topping evenly over the meatloaf.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the meatloaf is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

7. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 324 kcal

• Protein: 36.3 g

• Fat: 12.3 g

• Carbohydrates: 20.2 g

• Fiber: 2.2 g

• Cholesterol: 68 mg

• Sodium: 253 mg