Super Healthy Meatloaf

This recipe is a combination of two. My mother makes the awesomest meatloaf ever, but she doesn't follow a recipe, so it's impossible to duplicate! My mother-in-law also makes an awesome meatloaf, and she does follow a recipe. I have incorporated my favorites of both recipes to hopefully remember what the heck I do so it turns out the same each time, dang it! Here is what I did this time:

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium carrot, shredded*
1 onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. dried thyme or rosemary**
1/3 c. ketchup
salt and pepper
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. milk
1 c. uncooked oats***

In your food processor, combine carrot, onion, garlic, thyme, ketchup, a dash of salt and pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Pulse three or four times until chopped and combined. Pour into a big mixing bowl.

Fold in both meats, egg, milk and oats. Fold together until well combined. Be careful not to stir or squeeze the meat. This will make it tough. Should be moist, so add a little more milk if needed. Pack into a greased loaf pan, or I like to use four mini loaf pans (there are more crispy edges that way!) Bake at 350 for 1 and a 1/2 hours in loaf pan or 1 hour 15 minutes in mini loaf pan. Meat thermometer should read above 170 degrees. Serve with roasted potatoes and ketchup!

I didn't get a photo of the finished product before it was mutilated. This is how it looks before it goes in the oven.

*Some people like to add bell peppers, shredded zuchini or squash. I like to add carrots because it adds a slight sweetness without being overpowering. I find the addition of green vegetables make it taste more bland.

** Italian seasonings such as basil or oregano can be used, but I prefer these woodsy herbs.

***To make G.F. use cooked rice instead of oats, and make sure the ketchup and Worc. are both gluten free.

When put in Nutritional calculator, 8 servings: calories 239, fat 5.9g, Carbs 12.2g, Protein 33.3g