Mexicali Meatloaf

Meatloaf served with mashed potatoes is the ultimate comfort food. I've spent years looking for easy recipes that the whole family would enjoy. This particular recipe is amazingly easy - it requires no chopping and only a handful of flavorful ingredients. Prep time = less than 15 minutes. Bake time = 1 hour. Serves 8.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

1 Egg

1 1/2 lb. Ground beef

1 (14 ounce) Can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as RO*TEL®), undrained

1 Sleeve buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®), crushed (1 cup bread crumbs can be substituted)

1 tsp Onion flakes or 1/4 C chopped onion

1 1/2 t Garlic powder, or to taste

1 1/2 t Seasoned salt, or to taste

1/2 t Ground black pepper, or to taste

1. Beat the egg in a mixing bowl, then add the ground beef, tomatoes, and crushed crackers. Season with onion flakes, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined. Pack into a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Note: If desired, add ketchup to top of meatloaf after 50 minutes in the oven. Return and finish baking.