Meatloaf (Egg free, gluten free option)

I've been married for almost six and a half years and would you believe just a few weeks ago was the FIRST time I've EVER made meatloaf?! Isn't that like housewife fraud? Both my husband and I were scarred as children by meatloaf. Him by his mother's and me by mine. (Sorry if you're reading this, mom.) We both have these pictures in our mind of saltine cracker, heinz ketchup, eggs and hamburger in a mashed up nasty mess. I think it was only a couple months ago I said that I "hated" meatloaf. Those are strong words, so I'm assuming mom's meatloaf was psychologically damaging. I probably should have gotten therapy. But alas, I overcame the fear & took the plunge. I can now be truly initiated into housewife-dom. Meatloaf. Siggghhhh.  It's become something both the hubby and I dream about now. We've seen the light & realized how delicious & comforting this iconic food can be. I found the original recipe here if you want to see it, but have tweaked mine a bit to suite our personal tastes.

I did not take pictures of the raw meatloaf. You're welcome. No matter how good it tastes, it's just ugly.

I used homemade breadcrumbs from my einkorn sourdough bread that I made, but feel free to use gluten free! Croutons and breadcrumbs are so simple to make, once you do you will never buy them again! Check out my crouton/breadcrumb recipe HERE!


Meatloaf

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs (My Crouton/Breadcrumb Recipe) 
• 1/3 cup ketchup (MUST use homemade! It's super easy! Recipe HERE!)
• 1/3-1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (I liked less so it wasn't as sweet)
• 1/2 tsp italian seasoning (optional)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 Tbs dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 large onion, grated or finely chopped
• 1-2 carrots, finely grated

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients mixing with your hands until well blended.

Place in a lightly greased loaf pan and brush top of meatloaf with a bit of ketchup.

3. Bake meatloaf approximately 60 minutes. Should be firm to the touch and a thermometer inserted should read 160 degrees F. 

4. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*A friend who's family can eat eggs told me she replaced the applesauce with one egg & everyone loved it! 

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