Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped bell pepper
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- 1 (8-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained of juice
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F, and line a baking tray with foil. Lightly grease it with cooking spray to avoid any sticking.
- Mix the seasonings: In a large bowl, combine the salt, pepper, chopped onion, bell pepper, egg, drained tomatoes, and oats. Stir everything until it’s evenly mixed.
- Add the beef: Gently mix the ground beef into the bowl, using your hands for the best results. Don’t overmix, or the loaf can become tough.
- Shape the loaf: Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking sheet and shape it into a loaf. Lightly press the surface to smooth it out, but don’t pack it too tightly.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread the topping over the loaf, making sure it’s evenly coated.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer—it should read 160°F.
- Rest before slicing: Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before cutting into it. This step is crucial for keeping it intact and juicy.
Notes
Need to feed more people? Just double or triple the ingredients and divide the mixture into multiple loaves to bake. Adjust the cooking time slightly if the loaves are smaller or thicker. For smaller servings, you can halve the recipe, but watch the cooking time—it may bake faster.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner