The best meatloaf recipe ever!

Have you ever had meatloaf that was, well, disgusting? Do you remember Ralph's memorable quote from A Christmas Story, "Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double beatloaf. I hate meatloaf."

Nothing compares to my grandma's homemade recipe, and I am going to share it with you. This will be the most moist, delicious, and wonderful meatloaf you have ever tasted. Everyone I have made it for absolutely loves it!

Meat and breadcrumbs

• Meat - 1 or 1-1/2 pounds
• Bread - three slices, dried out, and ground up (or you can use ¾ cup breadcrumbs)

Spices

• Garlic - 1 or 2 cloves, depending on your preference for garlic
• Parsley - 1 Teaspoon
• Basil - 1 Teaspoon
• Celery Seed - 1/2 Teaspoon
• Fresh ground Pepper - season based on your preference

Other

• Chopped Tomatoes - ¾ - 1 cup (you can also use canned tomatoes in a puree sauce or crushed tomatoes, which is what I normally use)
• Olive Oil - 1 teaspoon
• Onion - ½ - ¾ cup
• Egg - 1 Egg
• Green Pepper - ½ cup (Optional)
• Mushrooms - 4 or 5 (Optional)

Note: Even though I listed the last two ingredients as optional, I recommend using them for a hearty meatloaf filled with delicious vegetables. If I do not have the last two ingredients available, I have still made the meatloaf.

In my household, most of these items are staples! I always have bread, parsley, basil, celery seed, eggs, fresh ground pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.

1. In a large bowl, scramble the egg first (it is hard to scramble when it is in a bowl with other ingredients).
2. In a separate (smaller) bowl crumble up the dried out bread (you can toast the bread too) into little pieces, or use the breadcrumbs, and add the spices.
3. Vegetable preparation Cut up the onion, green pepper, and mushrooms into little pieces. In my experience, if you use larger pieces, the onion and green pepper will not cook all the way.
4. Now, wash your hands, roll up your sleeves, and put your meat in the larger bowl (with the beaten egg).
5. Add your mixed spices and bread, olive oil, veggies, and ½ of the chopped tomato, and squish together with your hands.
6. Drizzle the rest of the chopped tomatoes on top - this is the secret that makes your meatloaf so moist.
7. Put the mixture in a pan you use for making banana bread, or a square glass dish. Make sure you spray with a non-stick cooking spray first.

Cooking Time

Bake on 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Note: I recommended that you mix your dry ingredient together separately, and handle your meat last, so you are not touching all your spices containers after touching the raw meat. I learned the hard way.

It is a pain in the neck to have to go back and wash these containers after you have touched them with your raw-meaty hands.

The secret is out! My grandma makes the best meatloaf. I promise you, you will love this recipe. The vegetables and spices cook together to make a savory and moist meatloaf. Also, the best part about this meatloaf, it makes great sandwiches the next day.

No need to use ketchup or milk, and I have often wondering why people would use these ingredients, but each to their own. However, Grandma would not approve.

If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave you comments below and tell me how it tasted.