Ingredients: 

 

1 pound ground lean beef
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 large red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 14.5 oz can of petite diced tomatoes, juice drained
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

 

Sauce:
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot or dijon mustard

 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375F. 

Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish.

Shape into a loaf.

In a seperate bowl, mix all sauce ingredients together and spoon over meatloaf. 

Place meatloaf in oven and bake for 30-40 minutes.

 

Topping:

Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour, 15 minutes

 

Notes: 

To make a gluten free meatloaf, simply substitute panko bread crumbs for gluten free bread crumbs (Sometimes hard to find, but you can toast a piece of GF bread, place in ziplock bag and crush)

Also, make sure that other ingredients are labeled gluten free (ketchup, mustard, etc)

 

If you like end pieces, which many people do, make a flater, larger shape loaf and remove from oven after 30 minutes. Slice it into portions and place back in the oven for the remaining time. It will crisp up the edges.