Meatloaf You Will Love

I totally get why people have both a fascination and disgust with meatloaf. It is about as unsexy as any food could get. A meat loaf. Bread should come in a loaf, not ground meat...right?? Yesterday evening I was really craving meatloaf. I know...how embarrassing!! But, I was and it seemed I had all the fix-ins in my second kitchen to whip up a Magnificent Meatloaf.
This is an original Katie recipe, and I am proud to say it is the best meatloaf I have ever had. I even called my mom to tell her about it after Brian and I had finished eating. Give yourself a good twenty minutes to prepare and another hour to bake. (PS...My prayers worked last night and my oven cooperated!YAY! ) Such a great family meal. Your husbands and kids will love it.

Katie's Meatloaf
Serves 6 or 7
1.5 lbs Organic Ground Beef (Verde Farms, available at Costco in 3, 1lb pouches)
1 yellow onion, diced
4 strips thick bacon, diced
plus, 6 slices bacon
1/3 large french baguette(or about 3 slices white bread), torn into pieces, crusty parts removed
1-2 cups milk
1/2 cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, diced
5 small vine tomatoes, diced
1 large garlic clove, minced
1.5 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 large egg
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 ish tablespoon ketchup
Kosher Salt
1 hefty sprinkling of Johnny's seasoning salt
Freshly ground pepper

Sauce:
3/4 -1 cup Ketchup
1/3 cup Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon Chipotle Tabasco
3/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Then, tear up bread or baguette and pour milk over bread, soaking for about ten minutes. Begin by sauteing diced bacon, onion, garlic and thyme. After about 5 minutes add the roasted red peppers and tomatoes. Cook for another 5-8 minutes.
Place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Pour onion/bacon mixture over the beef. Add the soaked bread discarding any remaining milk.(DON'T POUR MILK IN BOWL). Add another dash of thyme along with 1 teaspoon salt and a hefty sprinkling of Johnny's seasoning salt. Pour in Parmesan. Crack one egg over beef. Then add Worcestershire and ketchup and freshly ground pepper. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are very well combined. Form the mixture into two loaves and place on lined baking sheet or broiler pan. Cut remaining bacon strips in half and lay them over top the loaves.
Next, combine the sauce ingredients: ketchup, Dijon, chipotle Tabasco, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined and pour over meatloaf. Place in oven for about 1 hour. After the meatloaf is done cooking, tent with foil and allow to rest for ten minutes.