Recipe: Cheesy Meatloaf and Baked Mashed Potatoes

Nothing says comfort food like meatloaf, plus it’s a great way to use up those leftover odds and ends in the fridge. This version is dotted with ooey gooey cheese and served along side of baked mashed potatoes that cook at the same temperature as the meat.

Cheesy Meat Loaf

1/4 cup of diced onion
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup diced processed cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs (about 1 1/4 slices of bread, if you make your own)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 pounds of ground beef or a combination of pork and beef

Saute onion and pepper in a little oil until tender, then add tomato sauce, eggs, cheese, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well. Add ground meat to mixture, mixing well. Shape in to a loaf and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. (After one hour, add the potato bake to the oven as well, and your whole dinner will be ready at one time!)

Potato Bake

1 1/2 pounds potatoes (about 4 medium potatoes)

2 large carrots

1/2 cup milk (approximately))

3 tablespoons butter, softened

Salt and pepper to taste

Peel the potatoes and carrots and dice into chunks. Cook in boiling water until tender and then drain. Mash with a mixer or hand masher. Add 2 tablespoons butter and enough milk to make smooth. More milk can be added if needed. Place in a two-quart casserole dish and brush the top with the remaining tablespoon butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.