Elvis Would’ve LOVED It

Elvis would’ve loved me…well, that’s what Paula Deen seems to think anyway.  I first saw this recipe about 4 years ago on an episode of Paula Deen...”An Elvis Twist”, I think it was.  She was making some of Elvis’ favorite dishes.  Now, if I would’ve seen the name of this recipe in a cookbook, I’d have turned the page without even looking at the ingredients…meatloaf is NOT one of my favorite meals.  But thank the Lord I watched Paula make it because it looked AMAZING…and it was.  I’ve made this for several friends and they all said the same thing…Y-U-M!!!!! 

CHEESEBURGER MEATLOAF

1 lb. ground beef

1 tsp. House Seasoning {recipe below}

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium bell pepper, chopped

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup crushed crackers {I used 1 sleeve of Ritz}

1 teaspoon seasoned salt {I used Lawry’s}

2 slices of bread {white or wheat}

 

SAUCE:

1 {10 3/4-ounce} can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 cup milk

1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese {I used half cheddar, half cheddar/monterrey jack}

Chopped onions, optional {I didn’t add these}

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine meat, sour cream, worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, and house seasoning.  Use your hands to mix ingredients…time to get dirty!!

{The house seasoning is another Paula Deen recipe…1 cup salt, 1/4 cup black pepper, 1/4 cup garlic powder. I made a batch and keep it stored in tupperware in the pantry…it tastes good in EVERYTHING!}

Toss in the veggies and mix.

Now add the cheese.

Now for the crackers.  I usually use a whole sleeve of Ritz crackers which works out to be a cup.  I toss ‘em in a freezer ziplock and crush them with a rolling pin :) LOVE IT.

 

Combine thoroughly…

Place the two slices of bread on the bottom of a 1 1/2 qt. loaf pan.  DO NOT eat the bread!!!  You’re just using it to soak up all the grease :)  I might’ve learned this the hard way…just sayin’ ;)

Now place the meatloaf mix on top of the bread slices and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, time to make the sauce!!!   Combine soup, milk, and cheese in a saucepan.  I’ve made the sauce with cream of mushroom & cream of chicken and they both turned out AMAZING.  SO, if you’re out of one, use the other!!! 

Stir often and cook on medium heat until cheese is melted.

Remove meatloaf from heat and top with sauce.

This is definitely not yo’ momma’s meatloaf!!!  I can guarantee that if my mom used this recipe growing up, meatloaf would’ve been my FAVORITE meal.  I don’t know what it is about all the flavors mixed together, but I promise it tastes AMAZING…truly!!!  And you HAVE TO eat it with the sauce because that’s just like the cherry on top!!!! TO.DIE.FOR DELICIOUS!!!!!

 

This is a dish with quick prep time and little effort…other than the effort it takes to mix everything {but the sauce} by hand.  You won’t be disappointed!!  I’m pretty sure Elvis would’ve loved eating dinner with us {for this meal, anyway} ;)