🍄🧀🍖 Baby Mushroom Cheddar Meatloaf is a delicious and comforting dish that combines ground meat, in this case, beef or pork, with sautéed mushrooms and cheddar cheese. This meatloaf is typically seasoned with various herbs and spices and then baked until it’s perfectly cooked. Let’s dive into the details of this mouthwatering recipe:
📜 History:
Meatloaf is a classic American dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s believed to have originated in Europe but became popular in the United States during the 20th century. The addition of mushrooms and cheddar cheese in this variation adds a unique twist to the traditional meatloaf recipe.
🥘 Components:
- Ground meat (beef or pork): Typically, you can use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for a flavorful mix. The meat provides the base for the meatloaf.
- Baby mushrooms: These are small, young mushrooms with a delicate flavor that complements the meat.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is grated and mixed into the meatloaf to add a rich and cheesy flavor.
- Herbs and spices: Common seasonings include garlic, onion, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Breadcrumbs: They help bind the ingredients together and provide some texture.
- Egg: An egg serves as a binder, helping to hold the meatloaf together.
- Ketchup or tomato sauce: Often used for a sweet and tangy glaze.
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a skillet, sauté the baby mushrooms in some butter or oil until they are tender and slightly browned. Set them aside to cool.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, grated cheddar cheese, sautéed mushrooms, minced garlic, chopped onion, breadcrumbs, egg, and your choice of herbs and spices. This is where you can get creative with your seasonings.
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Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as it can make the meatloaf dense.
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Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet.
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Spread ketchup or tomato sauce over the top of the meatloaf, creating a glaze.
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
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Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, making the meatloaf juicier and easier to slice.
⏰ Cooking Time:
The total time needed to prepare Baby Mushroom Cheddar Meatloaf is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, including prep and baking time. It’s a great dish for a family dinner or a comforting meal, and the combination of mushrooms and cheddar cheese adds a delightful twist to the traditional meatloaf recipe. Enjoy! 🍽️😋
Certainly, here are the approximate nutrition facts and some health information for Baby Mushroom Cheddar Meatloaf. Please note that these values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and proportions used in the recipe:
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (per serving, assuming 4 servings):
- Calories: Approximately 450-550 calories
- Protein: About 30-35 grams
- Fat: Approximately 25-30 grams
- Carbohydrates: About 15-20 grams
- Fiber: 2-4 grams
- Sugar: 2-4 grams
- Cholesterol: Approximately 100-150 mg
- Sodium: About 600-800 mg
🍽️ Health Information:
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Protein: Meatloaf is a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and repair.
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Fat: The fat content in meatloaf can vary depending on the type of meat used and the proportion of lean to fatty meat. You can make it leaner by using lean ground beef or turkey, and by draining excess fat after cooking.
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Carbohydrates: The carbohydrate content primarily comes from breadcrumbs and any added sugar in the ketchup or sauce. These can be modified to reduce the carbohydrate content.
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Fiber: The fiber content is relatively low, but you can increase it by adding more vegetables to the recipe or using whole-grain breadcrumbs.
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Sodium: The sodium content can be a concern, especially if you use processed or high-sodium ingredients. Consider using low-sodium options to reduce the overall sodium content.
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Nutrient Variation: The specific nutritional content can vary based on the types of cheese, ground meat, and other ingredients you use. Opting for leaner meat and reducing the amount of cheese can make the dish healthier.
Remember that the nutrition facts and health information can change based on the choices you make while preparing this dish. You can also adapt the recipe to better suit your dietary preferences and requirements.
