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World's Best Meat Loaf

This one's from the "Everything Old Is New Again" department: I found this recipe in a copy of Life magazine from October 16, 1950, that I bought as a 50th birthday gift for my good friend, Irene. It appeared in a Hunt's tomato sauce ad (hence the reference to Hunt's in the recipe, although I'm sure that you could substitute any good brand--I did!) I'm not sure if it's the "world's best"; but it IS very good!!


1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 (8-oz.) can Hunt's tomato sauce


Lightly mix ingredients and form a loaf. Place in shallow pan in moderate oven
(350º F.) While it's starting to bake, combine:

remaining 1/2 can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar or molasses
1 cup water

Pour over meat loaf in oven; continue baking 1-1/2 hours longer, basting occasionally.
Serves 6.

From Hunt's tomato sauce ad
Life magazine, October 16, 1950

Ron's notes: I used only 1/2 tsp. salt and dried breadcrumbs. The pepper was freshly ground; the vinegar was red wine; and I opted for brown sugar (although one of these days I'm going to give the molasses a try!)