Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Since Lissaloo voted for Cheeseburger Meatloaf and I actually remembered to defrost the meat and it is another of my husbands favorite meals and it is our 8th wedding anniversary... I will make Cheeseburger Meatloaf tonight! I would also like to send a big Happy Birthday to my wonderful neighbor J.!

This meatloaf recipe comes from Paula Deen over at the Food Network and comes with a sauce, but I never make the sauce. I just spread about 1/4 cup ketchup over the meatloaf before baking and call it done.

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CHEESEBURGER MEATLOAF

1 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. garlic pepper salt seasoning
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)
1 tsp. seasoned salt
2 slices bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together, except bread slices. Shape into a loaf. Line a 1 1/2 quart loaf pan with the bread slices, place the meatloaf on top. Bake for 45 minutes. The bread absorbs the grease and should be discarded after loaf is removed from oven.

SAUCE
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
chopped onions, optional
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

Heat the soup and milk over medium heat; add the cheese. Add the chopped onion and parsley to the sauce, if desired. Pour sauce over the meatloaf or pass at the table.
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I really like this recipe better than the Lipton Onion Soup one, which I used to make. First of all, it is smaller using only 1 lb. of meat, second it doesn't have the overpowering onion flavor, and third it has a nice crunch from the onion and green pepper. I will serve this with mashed potatoes and a salad.

Happy eating!