Mama's Makin Meatloaf!

Well, last night we had meatloaf. I love meatloaf. It's my ultimate comfort food--thoughts of mom in the kitchen, scrunching it together, chopping onions, letting me help by adding the "secret ingredient"... (read cheddar cheese!)

ahhhhhhhhhhh

But, I have daughters who view this sort of meal with disdain. So, what's a mama to do?

Fun it up!

I prepared the meatloaf as usual...
Preheat oven to 350

In Kitchenaid mixer (or large stainless bowl) add:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion

Mix.

• Press 2/3 of ground beef mixture into foil lined loaf pan, and create depression in center
• Fill with generous amounts of shredded cheddar cheese
• "Top" with remaining beef mixture
• Cover top with barbecue sauce (It's delicious, I promise)
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.
  

When 13 minutes to done... fill a pan with pilsbury ready-made buttermilk biscuits
Turn up heat to 375 and finish cooking.

They should be golden brown by the time the timer goes DING!

And, we use instant mashed potatoes, but if you feel the need to boil them and mash them yourself, have at it. Crash Hot Potatoes would also work well here, but are harder to FUN UP.

I diced the meatloaf, gave each kid a biscuit, and created "mashed potato men" with a baby carrot nose, and eyes, and broccoli arms.

I should have done ghosts, I thought afterward, but my daughter insisted the "mashed potato men" were great.

There was laughter. There was harmony. No one argued. Everyone ate. Including their dad. AND, we made it to cheer leading practice on time. Overall, this one was a slam-dunk. Adding to the Fall Arsenal!