Taking Back Sunday

Today I decided that I am going to reclaim my Sundays. Sunday nights to me are always a time for family and a really great meal. Don't get me wrong, I do my best to make sure that all of the meals I serve my family are great, but I'm talking about a Sunday dinner, where you actually have time to really cook.

With this thought in mind, I decided that I was going to also try a new recipe. I received Pillsbury's Annual Recipes 2010 cookbook last week and have been dying to try one of the recipes and as always add my own twist.

I decided to try the Italian-Style Meatloaf recipe. I definitely added my own touch to this recipe. See my changes in orange.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 jar (14 oz) tomato pasta sauce (I used a little more than half a jar of Bertoli Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce)
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs (I used 1 cup crushed pretzel sticks as they maintain moisture better. Also for the Italian flavoring I added a packet of Italian Dressing Mix)
1 large onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning (I omitted this because of the Italian Dressing Mix I added with the pretzels)
1/2 teaspoon salt (I omitted this as well because of the salt from the pretzels)
2 lbs lean (at least 80%) ground beef (I used 93% lean)
1 box (7.2 oz 2 pouches) Betty Crocker roasted garlic mashed potatoes
2 1/2 cups milk (only use 1 cup per the package instructions)
1 1/2 cups hot water (it's actually 3 cups per the package instructions)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 13x9-inch (3 quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat eggs. Stir in pasta sauce, bread crumbs, onion, Italian seasoning, salt and ground beef until well blended. Press mixture in bottom of baking dish.

2. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of loaf reads 160 degrees F.

3. Meanwhile, make both pouches of mashed potatoes as directed on box using milk, hot water and butter.

4. Spoon any excess juices from baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes over meat loaf; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until top begins to brown. Let stand at least 5 minutes before cutting.

This was a huge hit with my 18-month-old daughter! Try it out and let me know how you and your family liked it!