Ingredients
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1.1 Lb. Ground Beef
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1 cup Rice
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1 cup Red Kidney Beans
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2 medium Eggs
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1 medium chopped Onion
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2 teaspoons Gravy Mix
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1/2 teaspoon Mixed Herbsanything you like the most
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1 small can Tomato Sauce
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You can also add...
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2/3 cup Mushrooms
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Half of Zucchinigrated
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2 baby Carrots
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2 additional small Eggsor 1 large...
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Variation
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Instead of rice, use Macaroni Pasta
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Instead of rice, use Whole Wheat Pasta Spirals
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Instead of red kidney beans, use Corn
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Making it Vegetarian
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Instead of ground beef, use Mushrooms
Steps for The Simplest Meat Loaf
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1
Done
10 Minutes
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Prepare the ingredientscook the rice as per package instructions. At the same time, chop the onion, rinse and dry the red kidney beans, and beat the eggs. If you choose to add mushrooms, finely cut them. If you'll want zucchini and carrots to your composition, grate them first. Be aware, if you add these 3 veggies, the meatloaf will have more than 6 servings. |
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2
Done
5 Minutes
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Prepare the meatloafTurn the oven to 345°F. Grease an ovenproof casserole or pie dish, then in a bowl place all ingredients. Mix well and place the mixture in the oven dish smoothing it nicely. |
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3
Done
60 Minutes
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Bake the meatloafCover with the lid or foil and bake the meatloaf for 1 hour or until the crust is brown. Serve with baked vegetables or salad. Enjoy! |
Additional Info for The Simplest Meat Loaf
Are you searching for the oldest and simplest recipe for meatloaf? This recipe is from my grandma, a traditional casserole meatloaf, simple, yet very delicious. It’s perfect when you don’t have all the ingredients for the cheesy meatloaf, this will do just fine.
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About the Simplest Meat Loaf Recipe
This simple meatloaf recipe is for traditional or conservative persons, who want the old recipe which resembles the original dish. If you searched for the best recipe for meatloaf, try the cheesy meatloaf with mozzarella that I have written (more complex, but it’s worth it). Returning to the simplest meatloaf recipe of all, this kind of casserole was prepared by my grandmother and then by my mother, now prepared by me when I don’t have all the ingredients for the cheesy one. Having a few ingredients it is not necessarily bad… it is another form of meatloaf, meaning that it is great from any point of view. For a gluten-free option omit the gravy mix or choose a gluten-free option along with gluten-free rice or pasta.
Variation by adding more ingredients to this simple meatloaf recipe
In any simple recipe can be added more ingredients, especially when it comes to meatloaf. This recipe can be extended by adding more rice, pasta or quinoa and another egg. Also, you can try to add extra vegetables such as grated zucchini, carrot, mushrooms, and celery. By adding these variations you’ll still keep the “simple meatloaf” tag, and by adding more ingredients (like mozzarella or potatoes, etc), you will make this meatloaf more complex, like the one from the link above.
The history of Meatloaf
Meatloaf origins are unclear because this baked mince was found in many countries’ kitchens. The first records date back to the Roman Empire being recorded by the famous Apicius. Meatloaf would be translated as “meat brisket”. Germans, Swedes, English, and Americans have different meatloaf recipes. In times of economic depression, meatloaves were frequently prepared because in its composition were many ingredients meant to increase the amount of final dish, resulting in feeding more persons (ingredients like bread, vegetables, cooked cereals, etc). Nowadays, the meatloaf is prepared rarely.
Transforming in Simple Vegetarian Meatloaf
To have a vegetarian meatloaf recipe instead of this one, you only need to replace the minced beef with mushrooms (see “variations” above). Another way to make it is to replace the beef meat with soy meat. And the last variation, and the best option (in my opinion), replace the beef with both mushrooms and soy meat. You can also add carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and breadcrumbs.
Cheap ingredients, cheap dinner
If you are on a budget, this simple recipe it’s what you need. By far, meatloaves are the best option when you want to cook a cheap dinner but tasty. In my opinion, the ingredients can be found in any kitchen (even yours if you are a day-by-day cooker), or can be bought with few dollars. Anyway, don’t be fooled by low ingredients price, this kind of preparation is great to put on the table, especially if it’s served hot with cooked vegetables as a side dish, or served cold with a salad mix.
Can I freeze or refrigerate the Meatloaf?
A question that usually pops-up is if the meatloaf can be frozen or refrigerated. The answer is YES to both. If you want to refrigerate, wrap it up in plastic foil and refrigerate up to 5 days. If you want to freeze it and eat it after a while, it is better to slice it, and wrapped in different plastic foils before freezing. This way you will take out as much as you need without defrosting the whole dish. Before microwaving it, let it sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes without the plastic foil.
