Tyler's Ultimate Meatloaf

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Recipe Intro From lanky_likes_food

This meatloaf recipe brings together the hearty, rich flavors of ground beef and pork, paired beautifully with a vibrant, homemade tomato relish that adds just the right touch of sweetness and tang. Perfect for a family dinner, this meatloaf promises a crispy bacon topping over a tender, moist interior.

Recipe Description

Pair this meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes or warm garlic bread; an ideal companion for soaking up the delicious juices. For a lighter touch, consider a crisp green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette or steamed green beans tossed in a bit of butter and almonds.

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  • Recipe Card
Prep time 20mins
Cook time 1hr 40mins
Serves or Makes: 6-8 servings

Recipe Card

For the Tomato Relish

ingredients

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and finely diced
  • 2 tomatoes, halved, seeded, and finely diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 (12 ounce) bottle ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Meatloaf

ingredients

  • 3 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into chunks
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3-4 slices of bacon

Method

  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  • Step 2

    Prepare the relish: Coat a skillet with a 2-count of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and bay leaves for a few minutes until the onions are translucent. Add red peppers and continue to cook for a couple of minutes until soft. Stir in tomatoes, parsley, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

  • Step 3

    Prepare the meat mixture: In a small bowl, soak the torn white bread in milk, swishing around to ensure even absorption. Let sit while preparing other ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, 1 1/2 cups of the prepared tomato relish, eggs, and thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze excess milk from bread and add the soaked bread to the meat mixture.

  • Step 4

    Transfer the meat mixture to a lightly oiled baking sheet and shape it into a log approximately 9x4 inches. Spread another 1/2 cup of the tomato relish over the top of the meatloaf. Lay bacon slices across the top lengthwise. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the bacon is crisp and the meatloaf is firm. Rotate periodically for even browning.

  • Step 5

    Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm.