Classic Comfort Meatloaf

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius for those using metric measurements). Next, lightly spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking oil to prevent the meatloaf from sticking.

To begin preparing your dish, heat a generous amount of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, celery, and pepper to the hot oil and cook until they are tender and have lost their crunch, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in ketchup to create a rich sauce, then remove the skillet from the heat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine half of the sauce with ground beef, bread crumbs, an egg, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients together gently to avoid compacting the mixture.

Pat the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan, making sure it is evenly distributed and covers the entire surface.

Bake the meatloaf in your preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (or 70 degrees Celsius). Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Simultaneously, reheat the remaining sauce over medium heat. Slice the cooked meatloaf and serve it with a warm, saucy accompaniment.