One of my friends at work asked me for a good tomato gravy recipe and it had us stumped for a little while. When I think of tomato gravy, I think of big buttery home made biscuits. Blake and I wanted to make something more creative to eat with the tomato gravy. As much as I want to claim the idea, it was all Blake. He wanted meatloaf and mashed potatoes, so why not mix them together? I will claim the Succotash because I love veggies and so many were on sale this week!

We replaced the traditional meatloaf topping of syrup/honey mixed with ketchup with plain honey and let the tomato gravy take the ketchup’s place.  We plated the meatloaf on top of the tomato gravy so the crispy sweet top of the meatloaf was intact and it made for really different bites on the top vs. the bottom of the meatloaf.  It ended up being an amazing combination that Blake loved.  The crisp, sweet honey topping with the more savory tomato gravy really created some great textures and flavors.  The tomato gravy went really well with the succotash also.  This dish went from being a few random ideas to one of the best dishes we have made in a long time.  We will definitely be making this again!

Inside Out Shepherd’s Pie Meatloaf

Serves 4

Total Price- $4.84

Total Price per Person- $1.21

Average Retail Price- $11.70

Total Savings- $6.86

MEATLOAF

-1 lb ground chuck (Kroger $1.98/lb Average Retail $3.99/lb)

-¼ onion chopped (Super H $0.98/3 lb Average Retail $1.99/lb)

-1 tbsp Worcesterschire sauce (Manufacturers coupon $0.75 off Heinz product Average Retail $2.49)

-2 tsp minced garlic (Costco 48 oz/ $3.99 Average Retail 6 oz $2.99)

-1 egg (Costco 36 eggs for $1.18 $0.06/egg Average Retail $2.99/12 $0.25each)

-½ cup breadcrumbs (Kroger $1.00 off from Average Retail $3.99)

-1 tsp salt (BOGO Publix $0.73/2)

-1 tsp pepper (Big Lots)

-1 tsp garlic powder (Big Lots $1.00 Average Retail $3.49)

-½ tsp paprika (Big Lots $1.00 Average Retail $3.49)

-½ tsp cayenne pepper (Big Lots $1.00 Average Retail $3.49)

-1 ½ tbsp honey (Kroger $0.50 off doubled to $1.00 Average Retail $3.99)

1)      Combine ground chuck, onion, Worcestershire, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.

2)      Place 2/3 of the mixture into a greased 3 x 9 loaf baking pan. (Just over halfway full)

3)      Place a 2/3-1 inch layer of the mashed potatoes into the baking pan.

4)      Place the remaining meat mixture on the top of the baking pan.

5)      Cook in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

6)      Drizzle the honey over the top of the meatloaf and return to the oven for 45 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 155 degrees.

7)      Remove from the oven and let set for 15 minutes.

8)      Serve with succotash and tomato gravy.

MASHED POTATOES

-1 lb Idaho Potatoes peeled and cubed (Super H $0.98/ 10lb bag Average Retail $4.99/10lb bag)

-½ stick salted butter (Costco 5lbs $5.19 Average Retail $2.99/lb)

-½ cup sour cream (Publix Buy one get one free2/$1.99)

-¾ cup whole milk (Costco $1.89/gallon Average Retail $3.49/gallon)

-salt and pepper (BIG LOTS)

1. Boil potatoes until fork tender.
2. Add butter and mash.
3. Add remaining ingredients and mash
4. Salt and pepper to taste

TOMATO GRAVY

-1 can tomato paste or 6 oz. home made tomato paste (Walmart $0.50/can Average Retail $1.19/ can)

-4 slices bacon (Kroger Meat Mania $2.99 from $4.99)

-3 tbsp flour (Publix BOGO $1.99/2)

-2 tbsp butter (Costco 5lbs $5.19 Average Retail $2.99/lb)

-2 cups water

1)      Cook the bacon over medium high heat until ¼ cup of bacon grease is rendered and set bacon aside.

2)      Add 3 tbsp flour to the hot bacon grease and whisk.

3)      Cook flour until lightly browned into a rue.

4)      Slowly whisk in the water and tomato paste.

5)      Continue to simmer and stir until nicely thickened.  (roughly 10 minutes)

6)      Add 2 tbsp butter and stir, keep hot until ready to serve.

SUCCOTASH

-½ cup shelled edamame beans (Super H $0.78/bag Average Retail $3.99/bag)

-1 tomato diced (Garden FREE Average Retail $2.99/lb)

-2 ears of corn, cut from the cob (Publix 10/$1.00 Average Retail 2/$1.00)

-1 zucchini (Super H $0.38/lb Average Retail $1.99/lb)

-2/3 tbsp olive oil

-1 tsp ground ginger (Big Lots $1.00 Average Retail $3.49)

1)      Heat a sauté pan on medium-high heat with the olive oil.

2)      Add edamame beans, tomato, corn, zucchini, and ground ginger and stir.

3)      Sauté until tender.  Roughly 10 minutes.