Dad's Meatloaf from Erin French

First posted January 2018

This week (April 2022) I watched my dear friend, Erin French, make her Dad's Meatloaf on Ina Garten's new show: "Be My Guest with Ina Garten" (on Discovery+ and other premium channels). It was so much fun to watch the two of them together, sharing stories and making the meatloaf Erin's father taught her to make when she worked for him as a kid in his diner.

(Serves 8)

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE MEATLOAF

• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1½ pounds ground pork
• ¾ cup shredded carrot
• ½ cup chopped shallots
• ½ cup shredded pecorino
• 2 cups ½-inch bread cubes such as crusty sourdough
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 to 8 twists of pepper

FOR THE GLAZE

• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¾ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 375ºF

START THE MEATLOAF: Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl and use your hands to mix them until just evenly combined.  Do not overmix.  Divide the mixture between two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.

MAKE THE GLAZE: In a medium bowl, stir together all of the ingredients.

Brush the top of each meatloaf with a thick coat of the glaze.  Transfer to the oven and bake until an instant-read thermometer reads 150ºF, 45 minutes.

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then unmold, cut into slices and serve.