Classic Meat Loaf

This is Mom's Meat Loaf recipe, it's pretty much the classic recipe but with a small twist.

Classic Meat Loaf:

Ingredients:

1lb. of extra lean ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup quick cooking Oats
1tsp of salt
pepper to taste
1 onion (optional :)
3/4cup of shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Topping: 1/3 cup Katsup
               1/4 cup Brown sugar
               1 1/2 tsp mustard


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix all ingredients together (except topping) in a large bowl. Use a Kitchen aid to mix well or use your hands, this helps especially with the cheese. Press meat mixture in a loaf pan and place in the oven. In a small bowl make topping by mixing together the three ingredients. Pour topping on top of meat after it has cooked in the oven for 5-10mins or until the top does not look all pink. Cook the loaf for another 45-50 minutes or until there is no pink inside. (total cooking time about an hour)

Side notes:
I use extra lean ground beef because I add cheese and that has a lot of grease in it. If you don't add cheese you don't need such a lean beef.
For a faster cooking time separate into tiny loafs and place on a cookie sheet covered in tin foil. I usually do this and make about 5 small loafs/patties. I cook them for 5 mins then add the sauce on top of each individual one then I cook for another 25-30 minutes or until I can see no pink inside (I cut open the biggest loaf and check it that way)

Serve with mashed potatoes and a green veggie for a classic home cooked meal.