Published April 24, 2020.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This easy to make meatloaf recipe is the ultimate comfort food made from few ingredients and that is guaranteed to bring smiles around your table.
Even though I’m a classically trained chef, I’m a comfort food cooker. I want to eat things like Wedding soup or boeuf bourguignon, things that are simple can be eaten in large quantities, and that comfort the soul.
Country Meatloaf
If you’re like me and wasn’t a fan of meatloaf growing up, I believe this recipe will help you break through those torturous childhood dinner tables. Meatloaf is meant to be simple to prepare and extremely flavorful. It can have several variations but in its basic form there are few ingredients consisting of:
- Ground Beef
- Onions
- Peppers
- Eggs
- Bread
- Salt and Pepper
After these ingredients, you can get as creative as you want with things to put in and on top.
The secret to Making It Moist
While most recipes call for breadcrumbs, I believe this leads to drying out the meatloaf. Breadcrumbs need to be reconstituted and when mixed into the meatloaf it will draw out the moisture from the eggs and ground beef causing it to be dry.
The secret to keeping it moist is by mixing in water-soaked bread that is squeezed out and added in with the beef, vegetables, and seasonings. I do this exact same process when making meatballs as well. My grandma used to call it, “wet bread.”
I recommend using Italian or French bread, but you can absolutely use a homemade loaf as well. Here’s how to do it:
- Completely submerge the bread in water until it becomes soft and wet, about 5 minutes.
- Squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible before adding it to the bowl with the meat, vegetables, and seasonings.
Meatloaf Glaze
There are several different types of glazes you can put on top, but I prefer a sweet tangy glaze. It should complement the meatloaf, not overpower it and provide a little acid to help enhance the flavor of the beef. My simple breakdown of ingredients consists of:
- 1 Part Ketchup
- ½ Part Brown Sugar
- ¼ Part Soy Sauce
How to Make It
Add the vegetables, ground beef, wet bread, eggs, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and thoroughly mix until completely mixed in.
Transfer the mixture between 2 non-stick sprayed 9×5 loaf pans and press down to compact.
Add on the glaze and bake in the oven.
Rest the meatloaf for 3-4 minutes before removing from the pan, slicing, and serving.
Ingredient and Substitutions
There are countless variations when it comes to meatloaf including ingredients that go into the mixture, different glazes or toppings. Here are some great things you could include in it or on it:
- Wrapped in Bacon
- Cooked Chopped Bacon
- Mushrooms
- Shredded Mozzarella
- Jalapeños
- Soy Sauce
- Cheddar Cheese Chunks
What to Serve It With
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Polenta
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 1 hour ahead of time. Wrap in foil and keep warm in the oven at 200°.
How to Store: Place cooled and covered in plastic for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. It will freeze well covered for up to 3 months. Thaw for 1 day in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat: Place your desired amount of meatloaf into a pan or on a tray with 2 tablespoons of water and cover with foil and cook at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until hot. You can also heat in the microwave.
chef notes + tips
- This recipe makes enough for 2 loaves and will feed 6 people per loaf.
- In the meatloaf glaze, you can swap the brown sugar for regular sugar or honey.
- Make sure to press the meatloaf into the loaf pans to compact it so that it does not fall apart when slicing after it is cooked.
- Make sure the meatloaf reads 165° internally using a thermometer before removing it from the oven. It is ok if there’s a little pink in there, it’s like eating a medium to medium-well hamburger.
More Comfort Food Recipes
- Beef Stroganoff
- Stir-Fry
- Loco Moco
- Ham and Green Bean Stew
- Chicken Parmigiana
Be sure to follow me onFacebook,Youtube,Instagram,andPinterest,and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!
Video
Save
Country Style Meatloaf Recipe
5 from 48 votes
This easy to make meatloaf recipe is the ultimate comfort food made from few ingredients and that is guaranteed to bring smiles around your table.
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Equipment
loaf pan
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- ¾ loaf Italian Bread, soaked in water and squeezed
- 1 seeded medium-diced red bell pepper
- 1 seeded medium-diced green bell pepper
- 1 peeled small-diced yellow onion
- 4 finely minced cloves of garlic
- 3 ½ pounds 90/10 ground beef
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- sea salt and pepper to taste
For the Glaze:
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°.
Add the squeezed out wet bread to a large bowl along with the peppers, onions, garlic, ground beef, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly until completely combined.
Divide the mixture between to 9×5 prepared loaf pans and pack it in tight. You can line one of the pans with bacon as I did in the video for extra flavor if you prefer.
In a small bowl mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce until combined and add it to the top of the meatloaf and spread around to coat the top.
Bake in the oven at 375° for 50-60 minutes or until cooked throughout and reads 165° internally.
Rest for 3-4 minutes, slice, and serve.
Notes
Chef Notes:
- Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 1 hour ahead of time. Wrap in foil and keep warm in the oven at 200°.
- How to Store: Place cooled and covered in plastic for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. It will freeze well covered for up to 3 months. Thaw for 1 day in the refrigerator before reheating.
- How to Reheat: Place your desired amount of meatloaf into a pan or on a tray with 2 tablespoons of water and cover with foil and cook at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until hot. You can also heat in the microwave.
- This recipe makes enough for 2 loaves and will feed 6 people per loaf. In the meatloaf glaze, you can swap the brown sugar for regular sugar or honey.
- Make sure to press the meatloaf into the loaf pans to compact it so that it does not fall apart when slicing after it is cooked.
- Make sure the meatloaf reads 165° internally using a thermometer before removing it from the oven. It is ok if there’s a little pink in there, it’s like eating a medium to medium-well hamburger.
Nutrition
Calories: 569kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 28gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 542mgPotassium: 573mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 503IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 4mg
Course: american, english
Cuisine: entree, main, main dish
Author: Chef Billy Parisi
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92 comments
- Scott
The reconstituting of the bread was key step in the recipe, one that I had never heard of before. When using 90/10 ground beef this step is essential. I followed the recipe to the letter sans the green bell peppers. Served 10 guests at a recent get together and every one was pleased. I sent the recipe out to those who attended as per their request!
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- Cindy Kinne
Best meat loaf ever. Thought I had a good recipe not even close. You will love it.
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thanks for giving it a shot!!
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- Elaine
Really good and moist. Love receiving your recipes and ideas. They all look so good and have tried a couple of them so far with great success! I’m looking forward to trying more of them. Thank you.
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excellent!
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- Sandy Worthen
The best meatloaf I have ever had.
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- Nora
Excellent!
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- sue
Thank you tasty ChefBilly 😁😋
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- Chris Powell
This was so perfect with creamy garlic mashed potatoes on a cold Wisconsin evening!
Absolutely perfect!Thank you!
Chris- Reply
- Sue Cole
This is my go-to meatloaf recipe and I always use it. I make them in little disposable aluminum pans and freeze them. That way I can get one out when I am in the mood for meatloaf…easy peasy!!
I labeled your recipe”The Best One” and erased all my other meatloaf recipes from my computer!
I like having a chef for a “friend” and I never miss with one of your recipes. I check in with you every day. Please keep on doing this for us!!- Reply
- Barbara Harmon
The meatloaf was excellent! Loved the glaze,too! Thank you for your recipes’
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- Lynn
I have it in the oven now…easy to prepare! The smell in the house tells me it’s going to taste delicious. Thank you in advance for another delicious recipe ❤️
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- Cheryl James
Delicious and flavorful! We love meatloaf so I tired your recipe this week, It was fantastic!
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- Lunarelle
can you half this without screwing it up?
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Should be able to.
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- sue 😁
Thank you ChefBilly you are correct about most meat loafs thy have a tendency to be dry …Most wonderful to being able to do you recipe meat loaf 😁😋🤩the best
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- Frannie
I love meatloaf and this is the way I remember it from childhood. Love the bell peppers and wet bread! Thank you!
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- Angela
Looks delicious!
Could you provide the appropriate weight of the bread? Different breads have different density.
Thank you so much.- Reply
click the us customary tab in the recipe card and select metric
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- Pat hanley
Made this last night. I did swap out beef for ground turkey…. But using the bread kept it moist and the ingredients made it very tasty.
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- Ricky Halliday
Made this several times now and it gets better every time. This time I soaked the Italian bread in milk for more flavor. Also mixed the sauce with the meat and also wrapped in bacon. Best ever.
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- Helen Long
OMIGOSH! I used my oats meatloaf for years; moist, tasty, but after trying this recipe, there’s no going back! The “ wet bread” which I’d never heard of before truly makes a difference. The topping such a small but delicious tweak to plain ketchup, yum! This recipe is so good that my boyfriend requested it for his birthday dinner that I offered to make whatever his heart (tummy) desired …. Perfect comfort food! Thank you, Chef!
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- Ray Fisher
Glad you enjoyed!
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- Eleni Benetatos
I made this meatloaf recipe yesterday for dinner with my family and I loved it! Thank you Chef Billy I served it with your Mash Potatoes and Roll Delicious!!
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- Chef Billy Parisi
appreciate you trying this!
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- Diane
Best meatloaf I have every made. Delicious, wonderful leftovers.
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- Janet
The very best meatloaf I’ve ever made. My 30 year old granddaughter said, “I dont know why I would never eat meatloaf, it’s delicious “.
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amazing!
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- Linda
I was skeptical, this was the best meat loaf ! Thank you for your knowledge.
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excellent!
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- Donna Malone
Excellent ! Thank you for sharing this meat loaf !
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my pleasure!
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- Gloria Martino
soaking bread perfect for meatloaf and your meatball recipes excellent thank you Chef
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so good!!
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- Cheryl James
Loved it! Best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever made. I always make 2 because my family of 5 love meatloaf. Moist and flavorful in every bite.
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love it!
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- Koziol Diana
Love this recipe. Easy to prepare using basic ingredients that I have in my pantry.
Family loved it, moist and delicious, 😋
Thank you for sharing Chef.- Reply
my pleasure!
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- Jerry
I am not a meatloaf fan, but I made this and everyone, including me, loved it. Thanks!
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amazing!
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- Gary Frank
My wife loved the moistness of this meatloaf, I added bacon to the top and I may cook and incorporate into the loaf next time. Great flavor and loved the wet bread trick.
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fantastic!
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- Gary Frank
Made this and my wife loved how moist it is. Will make again.
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love it!
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- Debra
This sounds delish….what would you recommend as a substitute for bell peppers? I’m not able to eat them – thanks!
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just skip it.
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- Darci Ann Strickland
can I use 1/2 ground chicken and 1/2 ground beef?
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Is there a reason you wouldn’t be able to?
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- FW
This recipe is packed with flavor and it is never dry. The results are always consistent, and who doesn’t love a recipe that has quality control? Also, I love that it makes 2 loaves. I usually prepare one wrapped in bacon and one not wrapped, and I freeze the unwrapped one to have on hand for a fast dinner.
Like your banana bread recipe, I call this recipe a “2fer.” I get two for putting in the effort of only preparing one.
Thank you.
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thanks for giving it a shot!!
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- Cindy
Easy‼️quick‼️ and tastes so delicious . Busy moms, this is a go to for a dinner you can make. Cut up ingredients , molded into loaf this morning, refrigerated til ready to put in oven! The best!
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excellent!
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- Frances Wolford
I can not wait to wrap my lips around that whole meatloaf.
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- Suzanne Fox
Love Billys food always so tasteful and delicious 😋
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Appreciate it.
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- Cheryl James
This is the best meatloaf I have ever made! The entire family loved it.
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thank you so kindly!!
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- Bessie
Can I make this the night before, and leave uncooked in the fridge for 12 hours?
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without testing that way, I’m not 100% sure.
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- Robin G.
Great recipe! My husband gets requests to make it again when he serves it. He likes to experiment with recipes so he used chicken broth in place of water to wet the bread. We LOVE the glaze. We like it so much he uses it to make sloppy Joes!
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love it!
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- Kristen
This meatloaf was so good, my husband took leftovers to work for himself AND his coworker 😅
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Wow!!
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- Sue
Delicious. I didn’t make the glaze though. I prefer brown gravy.
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That’ll still work!
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- Michael Shocik
I love a good meatloaf and have never been able to make a good recipie. This is so delicious and I make it all the time.
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so good!!
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- Mary Baldwin
This was a moist tasty meatloaf that everyone liked. The glaze was perfect . The wet bread worked!!! This recipe is a keeper!! Grat sandwiches the next day.
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Awesome!
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- Sally fosenburg
I love everything I’ve tried from chef Billy’s recipes. I made this for my husband the other night. I couldn’t get him to quit eating it lol! It was so delicious! I’d definitely make this one again!
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thanks for making it!
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- Carol
This is my go to recipe for meatloaf. It is soft and so flavorful.
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- Phoebe Bell
Absolutely moist and delicious. I used a food processor for the onions, pepper, carrot, celery and garlic like in your other meatloaf recipe and it turned out fantastic. It’s the best meatloaf ever and like you said it tastes nothing like the awful meatloaf we got as kids. 👍
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- Robert
I made both. Enjoy both equally.
Big hit with the garlic mash potatoes!- Reply
- Apolonia Olivio
I precisely wanted to thank you so much once more. I’m not certain the things that I could possibly have followed in the absence of those opinions discussed by you over this area. Completely was a very frustrating case in my opinion, however , considering the expert form you handled it forced me to leap with fulfillment. I’m just thankful for your help and in addition hope that you really know what a great job you were providing teaching other individuals all through your blog post. Probably you haven’t encountered any of us.
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- Carla Watkins
This recipe is amazing. I made this recipe and made both meatloaves, the bacon for my kids, and the glazed one for me for meatmeatloaf sandwiches. It was a big hit! Being cat parents, they shared a bite and got 5 paws up.! This has become our new must have meatloaf recipe. Thank you Chef Billy for new and exciting recipes.
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- Michelle Breksa-Lastraglio
I truly can’t say enough amazing things about you. Your recipes are clean, easy to follow & fool proof. You make cooking fun. Thank you for all you do & continue to shine & elevate. You’re right on the money & home cooks like myself really appreciate your generosity.
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- Eva Siebel
Do you use 3/4 of a 16oz loaf?
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1/2 to 3/4
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- Mikki
Thank you for an easy and so tasty recipe. My husband has always loved meatloaf. He and I both agree that in our 41 years of marriage this is the best meatloaf I have ever made.
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- Laetitia
Thank you for this and many delicious recipes. We loved it and I just came back to check the reheating instructions 😄God bless you
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- Kelsie
Have this in the oven right now and it smells so good! Thanks for the awesome recipe- you make them so simple to follow!
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- Joani
This made the best meatloaf sandwiches! Yum. Even ate them for breakfast.
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- Diana Todaro Blasic
I love watching your video’s chef Parisi! You are my go to person for any recipe I want to make. You are easy to follow, with not a zillion ingredients’ to make almost anything. Thank you so much for your continued great dishes, and many blessings to you and yours.
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- Cj
Hands down the most flavorful and moist meatloaf I’ve ever made. Hesitantly I added the red sauce (mom never did) it was sweet but not to much. This will be my go to recipe. Used leftovers in a meatloaf sandwich. Perfect during winter. Thanks!
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- Tara
I am from India andnot very used to cooking beef but I followed your recipe for a meat loaf which worked really well and as for the beef stir fry, it was a great success and I have made it numerous times since then. Thank you so much
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- Mary
I think you meant to say bread soaked in milk.
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Definitely not, I meant water.
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- Maria Florencia Lovardo
You are such a good teacher! Your explanations are simple and your recipes very nicely presented. THANK YOU
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Thank you so much, appreciate that.
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- Taylor
I made this recipe, and it was delicious. For the first time ever, my meatloaf didn’t fall apart. I did make one small change — I added some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the glaze, so it was sweet and spicy. Thanks, Chef!
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- Pam
I can hardly wait to try your meatloaf recipe! It looks so delicious!
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