On-the-Grid Alaska Meatloaf Recipe Is for Meat & Potato Lovers (6 Ingredients) by Donna John

Meatloaf is one comfort food that is here to stay. After doing some research on the most googled recipes, I found that meatloaf was always way up there in the rankings. People love their meatloaf! And the meatloaves vary from region to region. South Dakota meatloaf includes oatmeal, sage and ketchup, Catskills meatloaf includes red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup, and Amish meatloaf is made with evaporated milk, crackers and root vegetables.

This Alaska meatloaf recipe is hearty and filling. After reading The Great Alone with characters living off the grid in Alaska (highly recommend this book), that is not surprising. Alaskans need to fuel up to survive the elements. But any meat-and-potatoes person is going to adore this easy ground beef meatloaf recipe.

To make this high-protein meatloaf recipe you will need just six simple ingredients. Here is your short shopping list: ground beef, a packet of gravy mix (I used au jus gravy mix), fresh onion, prepared mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese and black pepper. The ground beef, gravy mix, onion and black pepper are gently mixed together then shaped into a loaf. Top the meat with mashed potatoes and bake until cooked through. Add the cheddar cheese right at the end of baking so it just melts and stays ooey, gooey. 

Use your favorite mashed potatoes for this recipe. I didn't have leftover mashed potatoes, so I cooked Yukon gold potatoes and mashed them with a little cream, butter salt and pepper. You could also prepare a packet of instant mashed potatoes for four servings.

Serve the meatloaf for dinner with your favorite side dishes. Because there's already a meat and a starch in the meatloaf, I served mine with a loaded cucumber salad. 

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 to 50 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 ounce (1 packet) gravy mix (brown gravy, au jus or your favorite)
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• black pepper, to taste

Here's how to make it: 

1. Put the ground beef, gravy mix and onion into a mixing bowl. Season to taste with black pepper. (Because the gravy mix is salty, you really don't need any extra salt. For a gluten-free meatloaf use gluten-free gravy mix.)
   
2. Use your clean hands or a wooden spoon to gently mix together. Do not overmix.
   
3. Form the mixture into a loaf in a loaf pan or in a baking dish.
   
4. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meatloaf to completely cover. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until meat is cooked through.
   
5. Top the meatloaf with the cheese.
   
6. Return to the oven for about 2 to 3 more minutes, or until cheese is melted. (You could use other cheeses like gouda, American, gruyere, Swiss, Monterey Jack or your favorite cheese.)
   
7. Let the meatloaf rest a few minutes before slicing and serving.
   
8. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onion tops, if desired. Store any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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