Italian Meatloaf with Steamed Green Beans and Homemade Mac N Cheese

It is a rainy and cold day here and with these icky days I like to have a meal that brings warmth and a full satisfied belly.  This is just such a meal, but instead of taking this meal to the traditional southern, country side we are taking it to "Italy" and back with twists on a yummy meatloaf and simple easy to make at home maccaroni and cheese.  You'll love how it makes your kitchen smell and how it might be hard to find leftovers due to second helpings...or thirds.  (o:

Shopping List:

1) 1 lb. Ground meat (turkey or beef would be best)

2) 1 Can Tomato Sauce

3) Pepperoni (I am using turkey pepperoni b/c I like it more)

4) 1 Onion

5) 1 Green Pepper (optional, you don't have to use it)

6) Mozzarella Cheese/ Italian Blend (Your choice)

7) Bread Crumbs

8) 1 Egg

9) Fresh Green Beans

10) Garlic

11) Pasta Noodles (I am using Whole Wheat Penne Rigate)

12) 1 Can Diced Tomatoes

13) Parmesan

14) Cream

15) Oregano and Basil

16) Worcestershire Sauce

17) Flour

18) Butter

OPTIONAL:
This meal would also taste great if you added some sweet ground sausage to it to add some oomph!  Probably a quarter pound would be best to go with a l lb. of meat.

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To Begin:

Meatloaf:

Preheat oven to 400.

Get out a large mixing bowl.  In the mixing bowl mix together your meat, 1 egg,  about can tomato sauce (Save a little bit from the can to place on top after you place the mixture into the baking dish!), 1 cup diced onion, (1 cup finely diced green pepper if you like, I do it with it sometimes and not other times), 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons minced garlic,  couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons of Basil and also the same amount of Basil.  The bread crumbs you will probably need a cup to a cup and a half, but mix in until you like the consistency of the meat.  It is a very personal preference, some like it more dry than others.

Place meat mixture in a 9 by 9 baking dish.  Pat into dish and spread evenly.

On top spread a little bit of the leftover sauce, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over it, then layer the top with your pepperonis.

Place in over for 30 minutes.

Mac N Cheese

After the meatloaf is done it will need to sit 5 minutes or so, so have this dish ready to go in the oven and it will only need that 5 minutes at the end.

Boil Pasta.

In a pan place on medium heat place 1 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons flour.  Making a rue.  This this slowly add your one cup of cream, mixing as you go, letting it thicken and getting out the clumps.  Once the cream is bubbling and smooth add in 2 cups of mozzarella or Italian blend.  Stir as cheese melts.  You can add a dash of hot sauce if you like.  It adds flavor!

Once cheese is melted add your 1 drained can of diced tomatoes (I got the Italian style kind).  Stir in.  Take off the heat.

Pour noodles into the pan with the cheese sauce and mix well.  Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle on top with parmesan and extra shredded cheese. 

Broil on high for about 5 minutes.

Sauteed Green Beans

The beans can cook while the meatloaf is in the oven and will take about 25 minutes, with prep included.

Clean your fresh green beans making sure the ends are snapped off and washed.

In a skillet on medium high heat place 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Brown beans for about 2-3 minutes.  Place in a tablespoon of minced garlic and a few dashes of coriander.  Let cook for another minute.

Then place in about 3 tablespoons water and cover.  Reduce heat to medium low and let cook for about 15 minutes or until they are your desired level of tenderness.  Add salt a pepper.

I hope you enjoy this simple and very delicious unexpected "Italian" snowy/cold evening!