Meatloaf is something my mom frequently made for dinner when I was growing up. She used a basic recipe from one of her cookbooks. It was usually accompanied by mashed potatoes and a vegetable, the vegetable most likely being green beans from a can. I loved that meal! After Eric & I were married, I learned that he is also a big fan of meatloaf. (Unfortunately, mashed potatoes and green beans are a lot lower on his list of preferred foods than on mine!) I, too, made a basic meatloaf for many years.

Early in my food blogging career, I posted a fabulous spicy Cajun Meat Loaf recipe that we still make & love. And now I am adding a 3rd option to our meat loaf choices! In this version, half the beef is replaced with minced mushrooms. The mushrooms lend a deep, earthy flavor to the loaf and also help to keep it moist. The ketchup mixture adds another boost of flavor to the dish!

Mushroom & Meat Loaf (adapted from myrecipes.com) Total Time Required: 55 minutes, Hands-On Time: 20 minutes, Bake Time: 35 minutes,  Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cremini mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• generous 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces 90% lean ground sirloin
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:

Place the mushrooms in a food processor, in batches if need be, and process until they are minced.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan, swirling to coat it. Add the onion to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 more minute.

Add the mushrooms and cook for 7 minutes or until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms begin to brown. Add the sherry to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring.

Remove the mushroom mixture from the heat and stir in the thyme. Cool the mushrooms slightly.

Combine the mushroom mixture, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, ground beef, and egg, mixing until it is well combined.

Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and place the mixture in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

While the meat loaf cooks, combine the ketchup with the brown sugar and dry mustard in a small bowl, mixing until combined.

Remove the pan from the oven and coat the top of the meat loaf with the ketchup mixture.

Bake the loaf for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°F. Remove the meat loaf from the oven, cut into slices, and serve.

Mushrooms are a great addition to this classic comfort food!  ~Linda

Mushroom & Meat Loaf (adapted from myrecipes.com) Total Time Required: 55 minutes, Hands-On Time: 20 minutes, Bake Time: 35 minutes,  Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cremini mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• generous 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces 90% lean ground sirloin
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:

Place the mushrooms in a food processor, in batches if need be, and process until they are minced.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan, swirling to coat it. Add the onion to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 more minute. Add the mushrooms and cook for 7 minutes or until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms begin to brown. Add the sherry to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Remove the mushroom mixture from the heat and stir in thyme. Cool the mushrooms slightly.

Combine the mushroom mixture, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, ground beef, and egg, mixing until it is well combined. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and place the mixture in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

While the meat loaf cooks, combine the ketchup with the brown sugar and dry mustard in a small bowl, mixing until combined.

Remove the pan from the oven and coat the top of the meat loaf with the ketchup mixture. Bake the loaf for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°F. Remove the meat loaf from the oven, cut into slices, and serve.