Mmm....Meatloaf

I love meatloaf.  Don't judge me!  I know it is a pedestrian dish.  You probably won't find it on the menu at an expensive New York City eatery or in Paris.  I don't care.  I don't want to eat New York City meatloaf.  I want my Grandmother's recipe.  Mmmm....fabulous Italian Meatloaf.

Italian Meatloaf

2 slices rye bread, cubed
2 slices white bread, cubed
1/2 cup water
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 T. parsley, chopped
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 T. Parmesan cheese
2 T. butter
1 tsp oregano
2 8 oz tomato sauce

Soak the cubed bread in water.  Combine the beef with the bread, onion, parsley, cheese, egg, salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Place in a greased loaf pan.  Dot with butter.  Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Pour the tomato sauce over the meat and sprinkle with oregano.  Bake for 30 more minutes.

If you want the meatloaf to be more "sliceable" I would suggest really getting down and dirty and mixing all the ingredients with your hands.  This makes it more dense.  I like it a little looser so I mix my ingredients with a fork.  The meatloaf does fall apart a little if you don't mix it by hand so it might not be as pretty presentation wise but I think it tastes better that way.

As usual this recipe is super easy and super delicious!  We eat it with a big mound of fluffy mashed potatoes!