Hey Y’all! You may recognize the recipe I’m sharing today. Tomato Basil Meatloaf is a recipe I’ve shared before. The reason I’m sharing it again is because it’s the prefect freezer recipe for the virtual baby shower I’m participating in today.
You may be wondering what on Earth I’m talking about, so let me explain. My sister-in-law, Ilke, knows a fellow food blogger, Shelley, who is expecting her first baby in August. She’s calling her Ruby (isn’t that adorable?!). Since it’s pretty much impossible to gather a group of long distance blogger friends, Ilke came up with the idea to host a virtual baby shower in which we post easily prepared meals or freezable meals. When she asked me to participate, this was the first recipe that came to mind. It’s by far my favorite freezer meal and it’s a staple that I use when I need to make a meal for a friend.
{From Etsy Shop of www.invitationsandprints.com}
At the end of this post you will find the list of all the friends who will be providing a recipe for Shelley and Ruby all week long. Most participants have already posted and the recipes look fantastic so be sure to stop by!
Tomato Basil Meatloaf
{Original recipe from Southern Living Magazine}
I was skeptical because I, personally, do not like meatloaf! But hubby does and I wanted to make if for him. It was, and still is, one of my favorite meals! So if you usually turn your nose at meatloaf, give this a try! I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
Here is the recipe, adapted from Myrecipes.com.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound mild Italian Sausage, casings removed
- 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic, drained
- 1/3 cup marinara sauce
- 1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup {or more} shredded mozzarella cheese
Drain the tomatoes {do not forget this step} and process in a food processor for a few seconds, until slightly chunky.
Combine meats, tomatoes, and all remaining ingredients except the Mozzarella cheese in a large bowl.
Using your hands, mix ingredients gently but well. Do not over mix!
Okay, here is the great part! Once the meatloaf ingredients are combined, divide into two portions. Shape the meat mixture into two equal loaves. Not only does this recipe make enough to give to a friend, it also makes enough to keep for yourself!
Place one loaf on a wire rack over a foil-lined cookie sheet.
Okay, yes, this may seem strange. Isn’t meatloaf supposed to be baked in a loaf pan? Not this meatloaf! The pork sausage will yield a lot of fat and you probably do not want your meat sitting in it. I’ve experimented cooking this meatloaf several other ways, but this is the one that works for me. I take a jelly roll pan and line it with foil. I use the inside of my roasting pan on top. It fits perfectly. The fat falls below and the foil makes for easier clean up!
Bake in a 375* for one hour.
Wrap the other loaf in plastic wrap and then foil and stick it in the freezer for a meal to share! It just needs to be thawed overnight, unwrapped and baked.
Remove meatloaf from oven after one hour. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top and place back in oven for another 15 minutes.
Yum! {See what I mean about all that fat down there?}
Use a large spatula to remove meatloaf from the wire rack. Allow to sit for five minutes before slicing. {NOTE: the meatloaf will be reddish inside. It’s the tomatoes! Don’t cook any longer!}
I like to serve tomato basil meatloaf with spaghetti and extra marinara sauce. They are the perfect accompaniment!
I’m honored to have been able to participate in Shelley’s virtual baby shower! Be sure to check out the other participating bloggers’ recipes. You won’t be disappointed!
Anna from Keep It Luce
Carrie from Bakeaholic Mama
Christina from Girl Gone Grits
Elaine from California Living
Esra from Irmik Hanim
Jennie from Pastry Chef Online
Jennifer from Scissors and Spatulas
Lana from Bibberche
Lisa from Lisa Is Cooking
Renee from Sweet Sugar Bean
Robin from A Chow Life
Sarah from Snippets of Thyme
Oh, I love meatloaf. I actually never had it until I was in my late teens and dating my (to be) husband. His midwestern family had it all the time with delicious mashed potatoes…I loved it! Yours looks delicious and what a perfect freezer meal.
Jennifer, thank you for participating! You found the ultimate freezer perfect meal! This can be paired with tomato sauce from Jenni. Everything seems so complementary of each other in the shower.
I always cooked in the pan. You are right, with the grease collected in the pan, it does not look appetizing once it is done. This must be the right way of doing it.
Jennifer, What a great idea to bake it on a cookie sheet to get rid of all that fat. I will definitely be trying this recipe. Thanks for being part of this shower.
What a great recipe to share, and the use of sausage in the meatloaf makes it so much more interesting than “your mother’s meatloaf!” Great to meet you through Ilke and Shelley’s virtual baby shower:)
Meatloaf is one of my favourite things – I especially love making melty cheesy sandwiches with it the next day!
Well done.. I like the photographs..very nice!