Main Dish Recipes - Best Ever Meat Loaf

Ingredients

• 1 10 3/4-ounce can Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom or Golden Mushroom Soup

• 2 lbs. ground beef

• 1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs

• 1 egg, slightly beaten

• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion

• 1 tsp. salt

• 1/2 cup water

Makes 6 to 8 servings

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Method:

1. Mix thoroughly 1/2 cup soup, beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, and salt. Shape firmly into loaf (8 x 4-inch); place in shallow baking pan.

2. Bake at 375°F. for 1 hour, 15 minutes. In saucepan, blend remaining soup, water, and 2 to 3 Tbs. drippings. Heat; stir occasionally. Serve with loaf.

Frosted Meat Loaf: Prepare loaf as above; bake for 1 hour. Frost loaf with 4 cups mashed potatoes; sprinkle with shredded Cheddar cheese. Bake 15 minutes more.

Swedish Meat Loaf: Add 1/2 tsp. nutmeg to loaf. Blend remaining soup with 1/3 cup sour cream; omit drippings and water. Serve over loaf; sprinkle with additional nutmeg. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber.

Meat Loaf Wellington: Crescent Rolls (Refrigerated): Prepare loaf as above. Bake at 375°F. for 1 hour. Spoon off fat. Separate 1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls; place crosswise over top and down sides of meat loaf, overlapping slightly. Bake 15 minutes more.

Patty Shells: Thaw 1 package (10 ounces) frozen patty shells. Prepare loaf as above. Bake at 375°F. for 30 minutes. Spoon off fat. Increase oven temperature to 400°F. On floured board, roll 5 patty shells into rectangle (12 x 8 inch); prick several times with fork. Cover top and sides of loaf with pastry. Decorate top with remaining patty shell, rolled and cut into fancy shapes. Bake 45 minutes more or until golden brown. Serve with sauce.