I spent a recent week in Michigan and got to witness the snow reach impressive heights, leading my neighbors to build a kid-sized igloo in their front yard. As we nestled beers into the snow banks on the porch, I finally had the perfect excuse to make my dad’s legendary meatloaf. During deep winter, I find myself craving comfort foods like chicken chili, oatmeal cookies, meatloaf, and Swiss Miss hot chocolate. It’s like I revert to my Michigan grandma mode, possibly driven by some ancient instinct to insulate myself for the cold, even as I have a Nest thermostat at my disposal.
I found myself texting my dad for his meatloaf recipe, which he sent as a photo of a page from Real Simple magazine with a handwritten sticky note for his glaze. The original recipe is all about making an impressive meatloaf using ground turkey, highlighted with a handful of Parmesan, onion, parsley, and chopped roasted red peppers for moisture and flavor. However, my dad knew it needed something more – beef. Despite his health and environmental concerns, he insists on beef for special occasions.
My dad, a Michigander living in Texas, has a love for good food and a Southern accent. He’s quick to share his opinions about barbecue and even has a special drink for me when I visit – the Texas martini, complete with a jalapeño-stuffed olive, bacon, and sometimes a lime popsicle. For him, food is a form of love and communication.
I don’t make my dad’s meatloaf often, reserving it for those special moments when the snow is just right, and it feels like the perfect winter dish. If you’re lucky enough to visit my kitchen when it’s on the chalkboard as a special, don’t hesitate to order it.
Here’s the recipe, adapted from Real Simple:
You’ll need:
– 1 ½ pounds ground beef (or turkey)
– 1 small yellow onion, chopped
– ¾ cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg, beaten
– 1 cup grated Parmesan
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
– 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
– 1 7-ounce jar roasted red peppers, chopped
– Salt and pepper
For the glaze:
– ½ cup ketchup
– 6 tbsp. brown sugar (you can adjust this to your preference)
– 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tsp. dry mustard
Preheat the oven to 400° and mix together the onion, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, mustard, parsley, and roasted red peppers in a bowl. Add the ground beef and shape the mixture into a loaf in a greased loaf pan. Bake for 40-60 minutes, allowing the internal temperature to reach 165° and the top to brown. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, and make the glaze in the final 5 minutes by simmering the ingredients in a small saucepan.
You can also make the mixture ahead of time or freeze leftovers for future meals.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
