Three-Mushroom Meatloaf

Three-Mushroom Meatloaf Recipe - Delicious Ground Beef Dish

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

This Three-Mushroom Meatloaf recipe is a delicious twist on the classic comfort food dish. The combination of ground beef, mushrooms, and savory seasonings creates a flavorful and hearty meal that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Serve it with a side of pepper gravy for a complete and satisfying meal.

History

Meatloaf has been a popular dish in American cuisine for many years, with variations of the recipe dating back to the 19th century. The addition of mushrooms to this recipe adds a unique and earthy flavor to the traditional meatloaf, making it a modern and delicious twist on a classic dish.

Ingredients

1.5 lb (680 g) ground beef
2 tsp butter
0.5 cup finely chopped onion
8 oz (227 g) assorted wild or button mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
0.75 cup soft breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 tsp salt
0.75 tsp dried thyme leaves, crushed
0.25 tsp pepper

Pepper Gravy

1 tsp butter
0.5 cup diced, red, yellow or green bell pepper
1 jar (12 oz (340 g)) beef gravy
0.5 tsp dried thyme leaves, crushed

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tsp of butter over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms and garlic, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt, 0.75 tsp of thyme, pepper, and the mushroom mixture. Mix lightly but thoroughly.
Shape the beef mixture into an 8 x 4-inch loaf on a rack in a broiler pan.
Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 1.25 hours or until it reaches a medium doneness (160°F (71°C)). The center should not be pink and the juices should show no pink color. Let it stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat 1 tsp of butter over medium heat until hot. Add the bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until it is crisp-tender. Stir in the gravy and 0.5 tsp of thyme. Heat through.
Cut the meatloaf into 1-inch thick slices and serve with the gravy.

Variations

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter version of the meatloaf.
Add diced carrots or celery to the mushroom mixture for added texture and flavor.

Notes

Due to the natural nitrate content of certain ingredients often used in meatloaf, such as onions, celery and bell peppers, meatloaf may remain pink even when a 160°F (71°C) internal temperature has been reached. Always check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer to be certain it reaches 160°F (71°C)
A combination of mushrooms such as shiitake, cremini (brown) and button may be used.
To make soft bread crumbs, place torn bread in food processor or blender container. Cover; process, pulsing on and off, to form fine crumbs. One and one-half slices make about 1 cup crumbs

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the mushrooms and onions until they are tender to ensure they blend well with the ground beef mixture.

- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute and the flavors to meld together.

- Serve the meatloaf with the pepper gravy on the side or drizzled over the top for added flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Three-Mushroom Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for a classic and comforting meal.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to mix the meatloaf ingredients lightly to avoid overmixing, which can result in a dense and tough meatloaf.

- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use any combination of wild or button mushrooms for the mushroom mixture.

- Substitute dried thyme with dried rosemary or sage for a different flavor profile.

Make Ahead Tips

The meatloaf can be prepared up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Presentation Ideas

Slice the meatloaf and arrange it on a platter with the pepper gravy drizzled over the top for an elegant presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve the Three-Mushroom Meatloaf with a side of roasted vegetables and a glass of red wine for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Three-Mushroom Meatloaf contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Three-Mushroom Meatloaf contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Three-Mushroom Meatloaf contains approximately 20 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Three-Mushroom Meatloaf contains approximately 25 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

This recipe is a good source of iron, vitamin D, and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains eggs and wheat (breadcrumbs) which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Three-Mushroom Meatloaf is a balanced meal that provides a good source of protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Three-Mushroom Meatloaf is a flavorful and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or special occasion. The combination of ground beef, mushrooms, and savory seasonings creates a delicious and satisfying meal that is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the joy I felt when I first stumbled upon this recipe for Three-Mushroom Meatloaf. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside. My mother had passed down her love for cooking to me, and I spent many hours in the kitchen experimenting with different ingredients and flavors.

One day, as I was flipping through an old cookbook that had been passed down through the generations of my family, I came across a recipe that caught my eye. It was for a Three-Mushroom Meatloaf, a dish that combined three different types of mushrooms with ground beef to create a savory and delicious meal.

I had never cooked with mushrooms before, but something about the recipe intrigued me. I decided to give it a try, and soon found myself at the market, selecting the freshest mushrooms I could find. As I prepared the ingredients and mixed them together, the earthy aroma of the mushrooms filled the kitchen, and I knew I was onto something special.

The meatloaf baked in the oven, filling the house with a mouth-watering scent that made my stomach growl in anticipation. When it was finally done, I sliced into it and took my first bite. The flavors exploded in my mouth – the rich, meaty taste of the beef combined with the earthy, umami flavor of the mushrooms was a match made in culinary heaven.

From that moment on, Three-Mushroom Meatloaf became a staple in my cooking repertoire. I made it for family gatherings, dinner parties, and quiet nights at home with just my husband and me. Each time I made it, I tweaked the recipe slightly, adding a pinch of this or a dash of that to make it my own.

Over the years, I shared the recipe with friends and family, who all raved about its delicious taste. They would often ask me where I had learned to make such a wonderful dish, and I would simply smile and say that it was a family recipe passed down through the generations.

But the truth was, I had stumbled upon it by chance, and it had become my own through trial and error in the kitchen. I had learned to trust my instincts and experiment with ingredients, creating new and delicious dishes along the way.

As I sit here now, in my kitchen surrounded by the warmth of the oven and the comforting smells of cooking, I think back on that day when I first discovered the recipe for Three-Mushroom Meatloaf. It reminds me of the joy of exploration and discovery, of taking a leap of faith and trying something new.

And as I take a bite of the meatloaf that is now done baking, I savor the familiar flavors that have brought me so much happiness over the years. I am grateful for the recipe that sparked my culinary journey, and for the joy it has brought to me and those I love.

For me, cooking is not just about following a recipe – it is about creating memories, sharing moments, and celebrating life through food. And with each dish I make, I am reminded of the joy I felt when I first stumbled upon that recipe for Three-Mushroom Meatloaf, and how it has shaped my love for cooking ever since.