Recipe: Broccoli Stuffed Meat Loaf

Broccoli Stuffed Meat Loaf

1 1/4 Lb Lean Ground Beef
1/8 Tsp Pepper
1 Egg
1 1/2 C Broccoli Flowerets
4 Tbsp Bread Crumbs
1/2 C Mild Cheddar shredded
4 Green Onions minced
1 Tbsp Butter melted
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Ketchup
1/2 Tsp Dried Basil

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Combine the beef, egg, 1/2 the bread crumbs, 3/4 of the minced green onion, 3/4 of the salt, the basil and the pepper. Set aside. Bring a pot of water to a full boil. Drop in the broccoli flowerettes. Cook until just tender-crisp (3 to 4 minutes). Drain thoroughly. Mix with the cheese, the remaining bread crumbs, green onions and salt. Press half of the meat mixture into a loaf pan (8" x 4"), forming an indentation in the center. Leave a 1" thick layer on the sides. Fill the indentation with the broccoli mixture. Top the broccoli with the remaining meat mixture. Seal well around the edges, completely enclosing the broccoli. Mix the melted butter and ketchup. Brush the top of the loaf with this mixture. Bake until the loaf pulls away from the sides of the pan and the meat is done (about 60 minutes). Serve hot. Cut in slices.