Alright, let’s talk about this meatloaf and rice thing. You know, some folks, they like their meatloaf plain, just meat and some breadcrumbs or somethin’. But me? I like to stretch things out, make it go further, you know? Feed more mouths with less, that’s the way I was raised. And that’s where the rice comes in.
Why Rice, You Ask?
Well, first off, it’s cheap. A big ol’ bag of rice don’t cost much, and it fills you up good. Secondly, it makes that meatloaf go a long way. You can feed a whole bunch of people with one meatloaf if you put some rice in it. And third, it just tastes good! It soaks up all them meat juices and gets all nice and flavorful.
How to Make It, the Easy Way
- First, you gotta get your meat. Ground beef, ground pork, whatever you got on hand. Mix it all up in a big bowl.
- Then, you cook up some rice. Just plain white rice, nothin’ fancy. Cook it till it’s done, but not too mushy.
- Next, you dump that rice right in with the meat. Add in some breadcrumbs if you got ‘em, an egg or two, and some seasonings. Salt, pepper, maybe a little onion powder, whatever you like.
- Mix it all up real good, get your hands in there if you gotta. Make sure everything’s all mixed up together nice and even.
- Now, you pack it all into a loaf pan. Pat it down good and tight.
- Bake it in the oven till it’s cooked through and brown on top. I usually bake it at 350 for about an hour, but you gotta keep an eye on it. Every oven’s different, you know?
Some Extra Tips From Me to You
If you want to make it extra tasty, you can add in some chopped onions or peppers to the meat mixture. Or some grated cheese. Or even some leftover veggies you got in the fridge. Anything goes, really. It’s all about usin’ what you got and makin’ it work.
And don’t forget about the sauce! I like to put a little ketchup on top of my meatloaf, but you can use whatever you like. Tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, even gravy. It just adds a little extra somethin’ somethin’ to it.
Feeding a Crowd on a Budget
Now, this meatloaf and rice, it ain’t just about tastin’ good. It’s about feedin’ a whole bunch of folks without spendin’ a whole bunch of money. Times are tough, you know? You gotta make every penny count. And that’s where recipes like this come in handy. They’re cheap, they’re easy, and they fill you up good.
Meatloaf, A Good Old Standby
Meatloaf’s been around forever, I reckon. Folks been makin’ it for generations. And there’s a reason for that. It’s good, it’s filling, and it’s cheap. And when you add rice to it, well, it just makes it even better. Stretches it out, makes it go further, makes it even more budget-friendly.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
And don’t be afraid to play around with the recipe. That’s the beauty of it. You can add whatever you like, take out whatever you don’t. Make it your own. That’s the way I cook. I don’t follow no fancy recipes. I just go by feel, by taste, by what I got on hand. And it always turns out good.
So there you have it, my take on meatloaf and rice. It ain’t fancy, it ain’t gourmet, but it’s good, it’s filling, and it’s cheap. And that’s all that matters, right? Now go on and make yourself some meatloaf, and don’t forget the rice!
Other things you can mix in, just use what you have on hand: Leftover cooked veggies like carrots or peas make a nice addition, and if you have any milk, soak the breadcrumbs in a little milk to make it even more moist, just make sure you are useing enough seasonings so it doesn’t taste too plain! And if you don’t have breadcrumbs at all, try some crushed up crackers.
Remember cooking isn’t an exact science, if you don’t have the exact measurement or ingredients just do the best with what you have, that’s how us country folks have always done it, and it always comes out pretty good. You’ll be full and that’s what really matters.
Tags: [Meatloaf, Rice, Budget Meals, Easy Dinner, Family Dinner, Simple Recipes, Ground Meat, Comfort Food, Hearty Meal, Economical Cooking]