The Best Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce is a quintessential comfort food that combines the heartiness of a classic meatloaf with the tangy richness of a savory tomato sauce.
This dish is beloved for its moist texture, robust flavor, and the nostalgic warmth it brings to the dinner table.
At the core of this meatloaf is a blend of ground meats, typically a combination of beef and pork, which provides a perfect balance of flavor and juiciness. The meat is mixed with finely chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers, which add depth and sweetness to the dish.
Breadcrumbs or oats are incorporated to help bind the mixture together while ensuring that the meatloaf remains tender and moist during baking.
What sets this meatloaf apart is the addition of a flavorful tomato sauce, which is both mixed into the meatloaf and used as a glaze on top. The sauce is often made from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a blend of herbs and spices such as oregano, basil, and thyme.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 + 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 14 ounce, can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
- 1 sleeve buttery round crackers , crushed (I used Ritz)
- 1 tspn onion flakes +1/2 tspn ground black pepper
- 1/2 tspn garlic powder+1/2 tspn seasoned salt
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F.
Beat the egg in a mixing bowl, then add the ground beef, crushed , and crackerstomatoes. Season with onion flakes, garlic powder, pepper, and salt . Mix until evenly combined. Pack into a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F