​No-fuss Meat Loaf

serves 8-10

3 eggs, large
½ cup water
1 (6oz) package of instant stuffing mix, herb-style (such as StoveTop)
½ cup each diced or grated carrot and onion
1 large clove of garlic, pressed or minced
¼ tsp ground pepper
Salt, see note below.
2 1/2 pounds ground beef (lean, but not super-lean)
Ketchup or barbecue sauce

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat eggs and water. Add stuffing mix and contents of seasoning packet (if present), mix well. Add diced vegetables, garlic, pepper, salt (if using, see Note below), and beef, mix well. Press into an ungreased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Top with ketchup or barbecue sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1¼ to 1½ hours, or until no pink remains or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. Alternately, form the mixture into a loaf and place on a baking sheet.

NOTES:

• If using the loaf pan, two slices of firm white bread can be cut and placed in the bottom of the loaf pan to absorb grease. After meatloaf is done, the bread should be discarded.
• To form loaf, meat can be pressed into pan as above then inverted onto baking sheet.
• Stuffing mix can be any type, but if using low-salt version, add 1 tsp salt.