Susan's Meatloaf

Good Housekeeping, February 1953

1 1⁄2 hours — 8 Servings

Ingredients

2	cup	fresh bread crumbs
3⁄4	cup	onions (minced)
1⁄4	cup	green peppers (minced)
2		eggs
2	pound	ground chuck
2	tablespoon	horseradish
2 1⁄2	teaspoon	salt
1	teaspoon	dry mustard
1⁄4	cup	milk
3⁄4	cup	ketchup

Instructions

When it's convenient: Prepare bread crumbs, minced onion, and green pepper. About 1 hour before serving: Start heating oven to 400F. With fork, slightly beat eggs, lightly mix in chuck, then bread crumbs, onion, and peppers. Add horseradish and next 4 ingredients; combine lightly but thoroughly. In bowl, shape meat into oval loaf; turn into shallow baking dish or onto bake-and-serve platter; smooth into shapely loaf. Spread top with 1/2 cup ketchup. Bake 50 minutes. Serve from baking dish or bake-and-serve platter, pouring off excess juices. Or, with 2 broad spatulas, lift loaf out of baking dish onto heated platter. Spoon some of juices over meat.

Notes

Variations include:

Cheeseburger meatloaf: You will need 1/2 lb. of cheddar cheese. Into 10" x 5" x 3" loaf pan, lightly press enough meatloaf mixture to cover bottom; on top, place thin layer of cheese. Repeat in layers until all is used, ending with a thin layer of cheese on top. Omit 1/2 cup of ketchup on top.
Frosted Meatloaf: Omit 1/2 cup ketchup on top. When loaf is baked, pour off all juices. Thickly frost top with well-seasoned, creamy mashed potatoes (add some grated cheese or minced chives). Sprinkle with paprika. Broil until golden.
Italian-style Meatloaf: To seasonings, add 1/4 tsp. each dried rosemary, oregano and basil. Substitute 1/2 cup tomato sauce (canned is fine), tomato juice, or diluted canned condensed tomato soup for both milk and 1/4 cup ketchup.
Mushroom Meatloaf: Substitute 1/2 cup well-drained, chopped canned mushrooms for green pepper. Add 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind. Omit ketchup on top.
Bacon-Dill Meatloaf: Substitute 1/4 cup chopped dill pickle and 6 slices chopped crisp bacon for green pepper.
Rainbow Meatloaf: For 1/2 cup of onion, substitute 1/4 cup minced celery, 1/2 cup grated raw carrots, and 1/4 cup minced parsley. Substitute 1 cup tomatoes (canned is fine), undrained, for both milk and 1/4 cup ketchup. Omit 1/2 cup ketchup on top. Bake in and serve from shallow baking dish.