For a popular dish dating back to the 5th century and enjoyed around the world from the Philippine embotido (banana leaf wrapped pork with whole hard-boiled eggs) to Jewish Klops to Middle Eastern Kofta to South Africa’s sweet bobotie, the humble meatloaf was mankind’s way to do more with less.

Made with just a few store ingredients
With just a little of meat, leftover bread or grains, and some simple seasonings and herbs, many cultures learned how to shape the ground meat into a loaf and cook it over the fire for simple meal. A little meat could flavor a whole loaf and it fed the family during tough times.

Mix the meats with instant packaged mashed potato
The American version has its roots from a mixture of cornmeal and ground pork enjoyed by German Americans in the late 16th century. By the late 1900’s meatloaf recipes started to show up in contemporary American cuisine and it has been rumored to have become America’s 7th most popular dish.

Add seasonings and some optional chopped parsley
There are hundreds of variations, and the common ones involve meat mixed with a binder such as egg. Breadcrumbs and grains are added to soften the mixture and there is often added sauce (tomato or ketchup) and seasonings.

An egg helps to bind the loaf together
For me, meatloaf is a favorite comfort food. A simple meatloaf dish with mashed potatoes and brown gravy will do it for me. My version is cooked in a pit and is a easy weekday dish that can be made on the weekend and reheated.

A non-stick 9X5 pan makes clean-up easy
You can also make it in a 9X5 pan, throw it in your cooler, and take it camping or the beach to cook on your campfire.

Cover w bacon strips and put into 275 degree oven or pit
The bacon strips add flavor and ensure that the mixture does not dry out. I intentionally kept it simple with just a few ingredients you can easily pick up from the grocery store and assemble into a tasty rendition of this American classic.

It tastes as great as it looks!