Meatloaf is a classic dish served in many variations all throughout the world. It seems every family has their own unique version of how they make meatloaf. As a kid, my mother made meatloaf the traditional way by using ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs, and ketchup as the main staple ingredients. It was super delicious and always such a comfort food.

Well into my adulthood, I tried a different variation of the classic dish and since then it has become a game changer in how I make meatloaf to this day. I have to give a shout out to “Paran Steve” for sharing his amazing meatloaf recipe with me. Like a true cook, all he could tell me was the list of ingredients he used but I was able to successfully figure out the measurements for myself. To me what makes this recipe so unique and delicious are the pickled jalapeño peppers and also mixing tomato sauce with brown sugar in lieu of ketchup.

Meatloaf would not be complete without a side of creamy mashed potatoes. The two together is the epitome of true comfort food …sticks to your ribs and very filling!

Let’s get to cookin’! Here’s what you’ll need…

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 2 lbs. ground meat
• ½ tsp. Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp. pickled jalapeno peppers, minced (optional)
• 3 tbsp. pickled jalapeno juice
• 8 oz. tomato sauce
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 29 oz. tomato sauce
• ¾ cup brown sugar

For ground meat you can use ground beef, ground pork, and/or ground turkey. Since we always have a freezer full of deer meat on hand, I like to incorporate deer meat into any recipe that calls for ground meat. For this recipe I used a ½ lb. of ground deer and 1 ½ lbs. of ground beef (73% lean).

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray an 11×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

3. Coat bottom of skillet with olive oil.

4. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to skillet. Sauté over medium heat for 20 minutes, until soft.

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5. In a large bowl, mix together the sautéed vegetables, ground meat, Cajun seasoning, pickled jalapeños and juice, 8 oz. tomato sauce, and bread crumbs until well combined.

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6. Transfer meat mixture to greased casserole dish and form into a loaf.

7. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.

8. In a medium bowl, mix 29 oz. tomato sauce and brown sugar until well combined.

9. Once the meatloaf is done baking, pour the tomato sauce over the meatloaf and bake an additional 15 minutes in the oven.

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10. Once the meatloaf is done baking, cut 1-inch slices and serve with a side of mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

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