Meatloaf with Caramelized Onion Jam

I love meatloaf. I love it made from beef, pork, a mixture of the two. Toppings can be ketchup, a spicy Southwest sauce, or in this case topped with Caramelized Onion Jam.  I canned a few jars of that delicious jam a couple of years ago and it still always amazes me how perfect it is! And my secret ingredient for meatloaf? Not bread crumbs, not bread soaked in milk, but old fashioned oats. Yes, your regular plain old fashioned oatmeal. It gives such a different texture to the meatloaf plus you gets the healthy benefits of who grain oats.

Let's make the meatloaf.

1 1/4 - 1 1/2 lb. ground chuck

1/2 yellow onion, diced (about 1/4 cup)

1/2 green bell pepper diced (about 1/4 cup)

1/4 cup ketchup

2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. minced garlic

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal (you may need a little more depending on how much ground chuck you use)

1 t. salt (give or take)

1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan or a baking dish with non stick spray.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients just until combined. Either use a fork or your very clean hands. Too much mixing will result in a tough meatloaf.

Spoon meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan without packing it down. If you're using a baking dish, gently shape into a loaf.

Bake for 30 - 40 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully spoon the caramelized onion jam over the top of the hot meatloaf. Return to oven for another 5 minutes or so until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Serve immediately.