Everyone’s favorite comfort food – this recipe is made even better by using top-quality Niman Ranch lean ground beef. Make ahead for the week or serve for an easy dinner with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy.

Serves: 6-8 people; Prep & Cook time: about 1.5 hrs

Niman Ranch Meatloaf

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs Niman Ranch lean ground beef
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp Worcestershire
• 1/2 c BBQ sauce
• 1/2 c bread crumbs
• Salt & Pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Dice onions and remove herbs from stems.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients and form into a greased or parchment-lined loaf pan (9″x5″).

Cook meatloaf until it reaches an internal temperature of 170°F (about an hour for a 9″x5″ pan). Once cooked, let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan, slicing and serving.

Mushroom Gravy

INGREDIENTS

• 8 Button Mushrooms
• 6 Shiitaki Mushrooms
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 small onion
• 1/2 c butter
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 3 tsp water
• .5 L beef or mushroom stock
• 1/8 c dry white wine
• Salt & Pepper

METHOD

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.

Slice button mushroom and de-stem and slice Shiitake mushrooms. Set aside. Dice onion and remove herbs from stems.

Heat half the butter in your saucepan and add rosemary. Allow rosemary to bloom in the butter for a few minutes before adding mushrooms and onions. Turn heat to low, and cook for about 35 minutes, turning often. (Low and slow will concentrate the mushroom flavor, giving you more flavorful gravy.)

Add wine to deglaze the pan, scraping down the bottom of the pan. Add stock and any excess juices from the meatloaf pan (once done cooking). Stir to mix.

Mix together cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add to the pan, with remaining butter, and bring to a boil. (Add more slurry for a thicker gravy.) Once your gravy has come to a boil, turn off the heat, stir, and serve over meatloaf.

*This recipe is sponsored by Progressive Distributors Ltd. and created by Foster’s own, Chef Aaron Molloy.