Feel free to mix and match your favorite ingredients to make a special meatloaf. If you want, you can scoop hot mashed potatoes into the center of the ring once the meatloaf has been cooked. This is especially fun with a group of youngsters!
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 3 c. whole wheat bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c. diced bell pepper (choose green, yellow, red or a combination of all three)
- 1/2 c. diced onion
- 1/2 c. chopped spinach
- 1/2 c. chopped tomato
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 c. barbeque sauce, divided (choose your favorite variety)
- 1 T. balsamic vinegar (optional)
- 1 tsp. ancho chili powder (optional)
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs and egg. Using your hands, blend the mixture until evenly combined and bread crumbs are moist. Add prepared vegetables, garlic cloves, 1/4 c. barbeque sauce and vinegar and chili powder, if desired. Continue to work the ingredients just enough to evenly mix them. Place the mixture in a glass pie plate and form the meatloaf into a ring -- leaving a 3-4 inch hole in the center.
Cover the pie plate with waxed paper and microwave the meatloaf on high for 5 minutes. Remove the meatloaf and brush the remaining 1/4 c. barbeque sauce evenly over the loaf. Return to the microwave and microcook on high for another 5 minutes.
- Yields: 8 servings
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
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