3 pieces of stale bread (I set it out overnight to dry it out, you can use a couple cups of dried prepared breadcrumbs)
One pound ground beef, (if making enough for 4 people I would use 1.5 pounds ground beef). I buy family packs of meat and freeze them in one pound increments. I also make them flat so they store in the freezer easier and thaw much faster.
Next, I added one large carrot chopped ( I do this in the food process but you can do it any way you like, as long as the pieces are small); One medium onion, Two eggs, Three "squirts" of ketchup, One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and ground beef of course. I put in One teaspoon sage for the savory quality, though you can omit this. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly with clean hands.
Form into a "loaf" and bake for one hour at 350 F or 35-40 minutes at 400 F. I prefer the longer cooking because it makes it more tender. You can mix and loaf (keep it covered in fridge) this the night before and pop it into the oven the next day.
This is how it looks before it has the layer of ketchup.
My favorite side dish is next and it's very simple. I cut some whole yukon gold potatoes in half and then into quarters. The amount of potatoes depends upon hold many people you are serving. I usually do about 4 small potatoes to a person, sometimes a little more. Then I boil them in shallow water for 10 minutes. This is what they look like after:
Next, I toss them with some olive oil or any that you have on hand, salt, pepper, and any green herb you have. I used dried parsley flakes for color.
Then, I bake them as long as the meatloaf takes, occasionally removing from oven and tossing them in the pan. They are done when fork tender. Here is the final product.
Cost break down for this meal:
Ground beef: 1.99 LB
Carrots, Bread and Onions, Approx $1.25
Seasoning Approx $.50
Potatoes Approx $1
Total cost of meal for two people: $4.74 - If you add more beef it would be $5.74 approx.
