Basic Trustworthy Meatloaf

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I have been making meatloaf for years and years, always the same way with minor variations, but always with saltine cracker crumbs as the binder. Recently, i tried oats. Well! Quick-cooking oats (not instant) make a surprisingly good substitute for either cracker crumbs or bread crumbs in a meatloaf. I have also made this meatloaf without any garlic, and it's just as good. Make sure the onions are chopped up fairly small; the texture of the meatloaf is best that way. Also, don't use extra-lean ground beef as you risk having a dry meatloaf rather than a moist one. Leftovers make a wonderful cold sandwich!!

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Steps

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Preheat oven to 350f.

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Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan and set aside.

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In a large bowl , combine all ingredients except for optional barbecue sauce.

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Pack into prepared loaf pan , and spread barbecue sauce over top.

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Bake until cooked through , at least one hour.

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Drain off fat in pan , let rest for 5 minutes , then cut into slices and serve.

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Ingredients

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lean ground beef, onion, garlic, quick-cooking oats, 1% low-fat milk, eggs, worcestershire sauce, salt, fresh ground black pepper, ketchup, barbecue sauce