Sometimes ya just gotta have meat and potatoes. I grew up on a farm, after all…
I also had some roasted garlic to use up.
Normally I throw all kinds of seasonings into my meatloaf — it’s one of the most versatile dishes on the planet — but this time, I wanted basic. Salt, pepper and… ah yes, roasted garlic. And a few green onions for color. (Had some of those left, too!)
Gratuitous mashed potato shot -- I liked the light.
Paired with a mound of fluffy mashed potatoes and a vegetable of your choice, it makes for a nice meal.
Mind you, this isn’t a saucy, bacon-draped, barbecued affair — just good ol’ meatloaf. And some mighty fine sandwiches the next day. (Feel free to top it with whatever you like, if you’re so inclined.)
Roasted Garlic Meatloaf
1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
1/2 c. beef broth or milk (I used milk — I grew up on a farm, yada yada…)
2 eggs
1/2 c. toasted bread crumbs
1/2 -1 whole head of garlic, roasted (see here for tips)
A liberal dose of Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
4 green onions, sliced (including tops)
Preheat oven to 350° F.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and broth (or milk.) Add bread crumbs, roasted garlic, and salt & pepper. Let this sit for a bit until the crumbs soak up the liquid.
Add ground beef and green onions. Mix together lightly with your hands. (The phone always rings during this step, just so ya know.)
Shape mixture into a loaf and place in a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan. Bake 40 to 60 minutes.
Not exactly rocket science, but sometimes simple is good.
Enjoying back to the basics,
~ Kim
What’s your favorite “basic” meal?
a little lunch 
Kim, I made a big mistake dropping by before my lunch. I’m sooooooo hungry now!!! I love garlic & tend to put a lot in my food. It really brings out the flavour in the dish. Well done!
When I was a kid I couldn’t stand meatloaf, but now that i’m older it’s one of my favorite foods! It’s such a nostalgic dish.
Jen, isn’t it funny how some of those foods from our childhoods taste completely different (and/or wonderful) now? I don’t recall disliking anything in particular (other than liver, which I still don’t care for!) — maybe one day I’ll change my mind about that, too. :) Thanks for coming by!
Very nice post. I found you through Mike at The Culinary Lens. Cheers! Barbara
Barbara, thank you and welcome!
I’ve never had meatloaf and yours does look so good! and gorgeous looking mash potato!
Thank you, Shannon! I’m not sure where meatloaf’s origins began, but it seems to be a Midwest staple — sort of a way to “stretch” ground beef. :) So tickled you liked the mashed potatoes — they’ve long been a favorite of mine.
Dear Kimby,
I must say the humble meatloaf is not quite my favourite but that must be the most fluffy mashed potato that I have ever seen. And roasted garlic just adds another dimension to any dish! Thanks for sharing a beautiful recipe.
Dear chopinand,
Meatloaf opinions fall into two camps: ya either love it or not. :) No worries! Glad you liked the mashed potatoes — I use my Grandma’s good ol’ hand held “masher,” believe it or not — works like a charm!
Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful comments! Meatloaf seems to be a much-loved dish in everyone’s kitchen. So glad you stopped by! :)
~ Kim
I loved the last line. How true, every dish doesn’t have to be so complicated, isn’t it? Your meatloaf looks out of the world with the mashed potatoes. Yummy!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
Oh I love the meatloaf potential!! Garlic Makes everything better :)
I bomb at meatloaf… but this sounds pretty good. My sis in law adds Mozzerella cheese to hers, and I like that.
I like that you have what I call an uncluttered meatloaf. Sometimes people just put too much stuff into meatloaf. I like this great comfort food.
I LOVE meatloaf. And I love the butter melted in the potatoes. Looks great. I’m going to have to try it.
oh boy! it’s late at night here and my mouth is watering! i know what i’m making for dinner tomorrow! plus my whole family loves meat-loaf! and i never though of using milk so i’m curious to try! thanks for sharing!
Sharizat, that’s the way my Grandma always made it — with milk — but the broth version is delish, too. Like I said, I grew up on a farm… :)
Okay – that looks absolutely amazing! My honey bunny (who is a meat and potatoes guy) would follow you to the ends of the EARTH for this one!
Ann, I was thinking the same thing about your cauliflower STEAK! :) (Although it would be ME following YOU around, ha!)
Meatloaf is one of the few things I actually know how to make. This recipe sounds wonderful!
Shary, everyone has their “fave” meatloaf recipe (or at least the ol’ standby) — I’m glad you have one in your repertoire, too!
I’ve never made meatloaf, but after having a very sad and disappointing experience with it over the holidays in Wisconsin (it was the special at this local bar/restaurant and it was NASTY–I couldn’t worry down more than about 2 bites), I think I need to redeem the mealoaf again by making it. I LOVE your idea of adding roasted garlic. YUM!
As I recall, Jenna, roasted garlic is a food group for you, too! :)
Many thanks, PS! They don’t call me the Queen of Leftovers for nothin’!. :) I appreciate your enthusiastic comments!
Heck yea! Great way to use up that roasted garlic :) This meatloaf looks fab
I am always up for trying a new meatloaf recipe and this one flavored with garlic looks delicious! Sometimes the simple comfort food is all you need to enjoy the meal. Have a great day!
Tina, everybody seems to be running on high gear this month — simple comfort food was in order! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Ahhhhhhh comfort food at its finest. My favorite “basic” meal is a delicious bowl of steamy homemade soup. Brings me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen. Pasta isn’t far behind. . .
Sue Ann, your soups could tempt me to give up meatloaf. Almost. :) I second the pasta motion, too.
My husband will not eat meatloaf and I LOVE it. So there are times he goes out for fish n chips and I eat meatloaf and we’re both happy. I would love to try this one because I love roasted garlic almost as much as I do meatloaf. :)
Sounds like you’ve reached a delicious compromise, Maureen! (Actually, fish & chips sounded good to me, too!) Dual happiness is good. :)
Ooops I forgot, my favorite basic meal is roasted chicken! :)
Ooooh, another classic basic. (Basic classic?) Definitely a “go to” meal!
OH I love love love meatloaf (Mr. Man is not a big fan….childhood issues!) but I would have never thought of using roasted garlic! I will have to make it soon, did I mention I love meatloaf? :) Have a wonderful day my sweet Kim!
The same to you, sweet Isabelle! I thought of you when I was making meatloaf. :)