It is really simple!  Everyone loves a comfort meal.  I’m not the biggest meatloaf fan.  It’s okay but it does not stop the mixer for me.  Let me paint the mood: A couple of weeks ago, it was rainy, gray, and cold.  The kind of day that I wanted to stay under a blanket instead of cooking.  It was a day for warm comfort food.  Investigating my refrigerator and pantry, I uncovered the perfect ingredients for a basic meatloaf.  Bonus, I had potatoes for mashing!  Verdict: The meatloaf was a hit and I will definitely make again. Enjoy! -AF

Basic Meatloaf

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 1/4 t salt

1/4 t ground black pepper

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped

1 egg, lightly beaten

8 oz. canned diced tomatoes with juice

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

Topping:

1/3 cup ketchup

2 T brown sugar

1 T prepared mustard

Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf.  Mix all topping ingredients and spread on loaf.
Bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees.