Mom's Homemade Meat Loaf

Makes: 8 servings

Nonstick cooking spray
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup finely crushed saltine crackers
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 t dried thyme, crushed
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 cup ketchup
3 slices bacon

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Coat a 13X9X2 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

For meat loaf mixture, in a large bowl combine ground beef, crackers, egg, onion, bell pepper, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, thyme, and pepper. Use a fork or your hands to mix well.

Form meat loaf mixture into an 8X5X2 inch loaf in prepared baking dish. Spread ketchup over top of loaf. Place bacon slices on top.

Bake, uncovered, about 45 minutes or until internal temperature reads 155 degrees. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

FREEZE: Place cooked meat loaf in a freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months. Defrost in refrigerator. To reheat, preheat over to 300 degrees. Place meat loaf in baking dish. Bake, covered, for 20-30 minutes or until internal temperature reads 155 degrees.

Mom's Homemade Barbecued Meat Loaf-Prepare as directed, except substitute barbecue sauce for the tomato sauce in the meat loaf mixture and for the ketchup on top of the loaf.

Recipe from "Super Suppers Cookbook" by Judie Byrd.