Total Time

　　1 hour 15 minutes

　　For her holiday party one year, my friend Elizabeth served a row of meat loaves that were presented on her finest China platters and had been stuffed with spinach and cheese. I loved that, and occasionally follow her lead for just a regular Tuesday night meal. To stuff, place half the meatloaf mixture in the loaf pan. Using a spoon, make a well down the length of the middle, then add thawed frozen spinach and mozzarella cheese into the well. Cover with remaining mixture and proceed as directed.

　　

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground lean beef, turkey, veal, pork, or combination

　　1 cup Italian bread crumbs

　　2 eggs, whisked

　　1 cup tomato juice or 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce whisked with water to make 1 cup

　　1 small onion, chopped

　　1 stalk celery, chopped

　　3 to 4 tablespoons cored, seeded, and chopped bell pepper (any color)

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

　　1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

　　1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

　　1 teaspoon salt

　　1 tablespoon ketchup

　　2 strips smoky bacon

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

　　

Step 2

In a large bowl, use your hands to thoroughly mix together the meat, bread crumbs, eggs, tomato juice, onion, celery, bell pepper, parsley, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Add the meat mixture to a loaf pan, spreading ketchup on top. Lay bacon strips on top of ketchup and bake for 1 hour. The loaf is done when a knife inserted into the middle feels hot to the touch or when internal temperature reads 160°F.

　　Dinner a Love Story