Smothered Meatloaf with O'Brien Potatoes

Smothered Meatloaf

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee

Ingredients

• 4 cups Potatoes O'Brien
  
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 1/4 pounds ground pork, turkey or chicken
• 1 (5.29-ounce) box Garlic Herb Shake and Bake (Italian bread crumbs with 2t garlic powder works well too)
• 1 (1.1-ounce) envelope Beefy Onion Soup Mix
  
• 1 (4.5-ounce) jar Sliced Mushrooms, drained (jarred mushroom pieces works for this too)
  
• 1 egg
• 1 (12-ounce) can condensed Cheddar soup, divided
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 (10-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 onion, sliced thin
• 1 (8-ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms

Directions

Place potatoes in the bottom of a 5-quart slow cooker.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, shake and bake, onion soup mix, sliced mushrooms, and egg. Set aside.

In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup Cheddar soup and evaporated milk. Add to meat mixture. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands mix thoroughly and form into a loaf. Place in slow cooker on top of the potatoes. Make sure meatloaf does not touch the sides of the slow cooker.

Stir together remaining cheddar soup with cream of mushroom soup. Pour over meatloaf. Top with onions and mushrooms.

Cover and cook on HIGH setting for 1 hour. Reduce the temperature to LOW setting and cook for an additional 5 to 6 hours.

My experience: This has an extremely good flavor. The texture leaves much to be desired. Both my kids, hubby, mother and uncle liked this recipe but all complained about the texture of the meal. I love meat that you can bite into not that mushes in your mouth. I like potatoes to have a bit of form when they are not intended to be mashed potatoes.

My tips: Do not cook this in the crockpot! Ground meat does not need a slow cook process. Prepare the meatloaf as described in the directions and cook the meatloaf in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 45-55 min. Spoon the grease off the gravy as best as possible. Cover your meatloaf with foil so it can rest and soak up more of the gravy flavors. Cook the potatoes and any other vegetables while the meatloaf rests. Serve the meatloaf and potatoes smothered in the gravy.

Hope you enjoy:0)