Italian meat loaf

Serves: 6 (makes 1 meat loaf)

Time to make: 1 hr 10 mins

Hands-on time: 10 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

450g lean beef mince

½ cup fresh wholegrain breadcrumbs

½ cup rolled oatsoatmeal uncookedX

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 courgettezucchiniX, grated

2 carrots, grated

2 spring onions, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

¼ cup red wine

400g can cherry tomatoes, drained

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

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Instructions

Stay Awake

1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Use your hands to mix all ingredients — except half the cherry tomatoes — together well in a large bowl. Line a loaf tin with greaseproof paper and press mixture into tin. Smooth the top evenly.

2 Arrange the remaining cherry tomatoes on top of the meat loaf.

3 Place in oven and cook for 50 minutes-1 hour or until juices run clear. (If you have a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature of your meat loaf has reached a temperature of 74°C for at least 15 seconds.) If tomatoes are browning too quickly, cover with tinfoil.

4 Ten minutes before the end of cooking, drizzle balsamic vinegar over tomatoes. Remove meat loaf from oven and to serve, garnish with fresh basil, rosemary or parsley if you prefer.

HFG tip

Make it a meal

Make this meat loaf a complete meal by serving with at least 2 cups salad or 1 1/2 cups cooked vegetables, and some potatoes, rice or pasta. A classic meal combination is meat loaf served with mashed potatoes, a little gravy or chutney and some steamed green veges.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 201 cal

Kilojoules 840 kJ

Protein 21 g

Total fat 6 g

Saturated fat 2 g

Carbohydrates 15 g

Sugar 5 g

Dietary fibre 3 g

Sodium 180 mg

Calcium 60 mg

Iron 4 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.