My Favorite Homemade {southwestern} Meatloaf

Excuse my very boring image above...but I made meatloaf and was hungry. I even forgot to add the broccoli with almonds to the photo. It was a hectic day. Next time. I am only human and no food blogger, but I made my very own homemade meatloaf and let me tell you it was very delicious.

For months I wanted to make meatloaf. I was craving it but then also admitted to myself that making a dish like that during hot summer days wasn't ideal. So I waited until temperatures dropped. Colder temperatures ask for warmer and somewhat heavier dishes. This meatloaf isn't even "heavy" but definitely worth a try during colder days.

Here's what you need {for about 4 servings}:

- 1lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves {I used parsley instead}
- 1 can {4 ounces} mild green chiles, drained {optional}
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can {8 ounces} tomato sauce, divided
- 2 tablespoons ketchup

Here's what you do:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Spray 13x9 baking pan {or use something else you think would work}
- Combine beef, onion, cornmeal, egg, cumin, salt, pepper, half the tomato sauce, cilantro and peppers
- Mix well
- In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the rest of the tomato sauce with ketchup
- Shape the meat mixture into your pan, then top the ketchup mix on top.
- Bake for 55 minutes or until cooked through
- Wait five minutes before you cut the loaf
- Enjoy

Once it comes out of the oven the ketchup pretty much looks the same. I had no idea. Again, I'm no pro and never thought that ketchup stayed the same...I mean, it never crossed my mind. I just thought something would happen to it but clearly it looked the same. Needless to say we ate this dish in no time, hence the halfway eaten loaf photo. LOVED it.

This dish was one of the easiest and one of those I dreamed of later. I don't need to do this all the time but we needed something homemade and meaty. It was a great meatloaf and I will certainly make it again. And maybe then I have an updated photo to post on this post that actually is perfect...with spinach or carrots or peas. :) I swear, we ate veggies that day too.