Meatloaf Sandwiches

Plan plenty of leftovers so you can enjoy these two satisfying sandwiches.

Leftover meatloaf is a wonderful thing. While it's warm and comforting when snuggled up to mashed potatoes, meatloaf is downright luscious layered on bread with mayonnaise or tomato sauce. Use your favorite recipe for the basic loaf, or try the one offered here. Because you can't just conjure meatloaf out of the air when the urge for a sandwich strikes, double the recipe and freeze one to keep on hand. One of these midnights, you'll be really glad you did. -DONNA FLORIO

Simple Meatloaf

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., BAKE: 1 HR., STAND: 5 MIN.

Ground chuck offers lots of flavor and is less expensive, but we chose lean ground beef because it has less fat.

1 ½ lb. 85% lean ground beef

¾ cup quick-cooking oatmeal

¾ cup milk

¼ cup chopped onion

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 ½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

[fraction one-third] cup ketchup

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. yellow mustard

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl just until blended; place in a lightly greased 9- x 5-inch loaf pan.

2. Stir together ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard; pour evenly over meatloaf.

3. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes, and remove from pan before slicing.

NORA HENSHAW

OKEMAH, OKLAHOMA

Note: Wrap meatloaf in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight.

Italian Meatloaf Sandwich

MAKES 4 SANDWICHES

PREP: 15 MIN., BAKE: 15 MIN.

This great flavor combo also works with leftover roast beef or pot roast.

1 (14-oz.) French bread loaf

8 (1-inch-thick) cold meatloaf slices

1 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce

1 (8-oz.) package shredded Italian cheese blend

¼ tsp. Italian seasoning

1. Cut bread into quarters; cut quarters in half horizontally. Place bread quarters, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Top each bread bottom with 2 meatloaf slices, 2 Tbsp. marinara sauce, and ¼ cup cheese. Top each bread top with 2 Tbsp. marinara sauce and ¼ cup cheese; sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning.

2. Bake at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese melts and meat is thoroughly heated. Top bread bottoms with bread tops, and serve sandwiches immediately.

Basil-Tomato Meatloaf Sandwich

MAKES 4 SANDWICHES

PREP: 10 MIN.

You'll love the flavor boost when you stir fresh basil into mayonnaise. If you're uncomfortable chopping the basil, snip it with scissors or chop it in a miniprocessor. Because the meatloaf slices are not very wide, it takes two to cover a slice of bread.

½ cup mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

8 hearty white bread slices

8 (½-inch-thick) cold meatloaf slices

1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce

2 plum tomatoes, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Stir together Vz cup mayonnaise and 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil. Spread 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise mixture on 1 side of each bread slice. Top 4 bread slices, mayonnaise sides up, evenly with meatloaf slices, shredded lettuce, and tomato slices; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top with remaining bread slices, mayonnaise sides down.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Sara Lee Honey White Bakery Bread.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2006
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