Cajun Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf is something that everyone loves, especially Bubba and the Crew. For Sunday Supper, Cajun Meat Loaf, paired up with Mashed Potatoes with Browned Onions and Creamed Spinach  for a soul-satisfying meal.

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 TABLESPOONS BUTTER
• 4 CARROTS, PEELED AND FINELY CHOPPED
• 2 LARGE ONIONS, CHOPPED
• 2 LARGE STALKS CELERY, CHOPPED
• 1 LARGE RED BELL PEPPER, FINELY CHOPPED
• 4 CLOVES GARLIC, GRATED
• 4 POUNDS GROUND MEAT FOR MEAT LOAF {BEEF, VEAL, PORK}
• 4 LARGE EGGS
• 2 CUPS FRESH BREAD CRUMBS {ABOUT 4 SLICES BREAD}
• 1 CUP PLUS 4 TABLESPOONS KETCHUP
• 1/2 CUP HALF-AND-HALF
• 2 TABLESPOONS WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
• 4 TEASPOONS SALT
• 2 TEASPOONS GROUND CUMIN
• 1 TEASPOON DRIED THYME
• 1 TEASPOON GROUND NUTMEG
• 1/2 TEASPOON CAYENNE
• 1/2 TEASPOON GROUND WHITE PEPPER

 DIRECTIONS: 

1. IN A LARGE CAST-IRON SKILLET, MELT BUTTER OVER MEDIUM HEAT. ADD CARROTS, ONION, CELERY, AND RED BELL PEPPER; COOK, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY, UNTIL VEGETABLES ARE TENDER, ABOUT 15 MINUTES. ADD GARLIC AND COOK 1 MINUTE LONGER. SET ASIDE TO COOL.
2. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375 DEGREES. IN A LARGE BOWL, COMBINE GROUND MEAT, EGGS, BREAD CRUMBS.1 CUP KETCHUP, HALF-AND-HALF, WORCESTERSHIRE, SALT, CUMIN, THYME, NUTMEG, CAYENNE, WHITE PEPPER, AND COOKED VEGETABLE MIXTURE JUST UNTIL WELL BLENDED BUT NOT OVER MIXED.
3. IN A 9 x 13-INCH BAKING PAN, SHAPE MEAT MIXTURE IN TO A LOAF, PRESSING FIRMLY. BRUSH REMAINING 4 TABLESPOONS KETCHUP ON TOP OF LOAF. BAKE 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES. CHECK FOR DONENESS IF NOT DONE BAKE AN ADDITIONAL 15 MINUTES. LET STAND 10 MINUTES TO SET JUICES FOR EASIER SERVING.

ACTIVE TIME: 20 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 35 MINUTES
MAKES: 16 MAIN-DISH SERVINGS