Name: Boarding House Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef; ½ green bell pepper (finely chopped); ½ small onion (finely chopped); 2 large eggs (beaten); ¾ cup uncooked regular oats; ¼ cup ketchup; 1 ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons butter; ½ small onion (chopped); ½ green bell pepper (chopped); ¾ cup ketchup or chili sauce; 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

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Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of Southern Living’s Boarding House Meatloaf. Crafted with lean ground beef, veggies, and a savory ketchup-butter-cider vinegar topping, this classic recipe delivers Southern comfort in every delicious bite.

Meatloaf on a serving platter. — Image courtesy of The Southern Living Community Cookbook

Southern Living’s Boarding House Meatloaf is a true testament to the artistry of Southern cooking. This classic dish combines 1 ½ pounds of lean ground beef with finely chopped green bell pepper and onion, creating a delicious blend of flavors and textures.

Two eggs and oats act as the binding agents, ensuring a moist and tender outcome.

The magic happens with a savory topping that includes a delightful mixture of ketchup, butter, and cider vinegar – a trifecta of Southern goodness that caramelizes beautifully, adding both sweetness and tanginess to every slice. It’s a soul-warming experience on a plate, bringing the comforts of Southern hospitality to your table with each delicious bite.

I am delighted to be able to share the recipe from The Southern Living Community Cookbook with you.

Ingredients

For this Southern meatloaf recipe, you need the following ingredients:

1 ½ lb. lean ground beef
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped and divided into 2 portions
1 small onion, finely chopped and divided into 2 portions
2 large eggs, beaten
¾ cup uncooked regular oats
¼ cup ketchup
1 ½ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter
¾ cup ketchup or chili sauce
1 Tablespoon cider vinegar

Instructions

To make it, you begin by preheating your oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan.

For the meatloaf, stir together the beef, 1/2 of the bell pepper, 1/2 of the chopped onion, eggs, oats, ketchup, and salt in a large bowl. Shape into a loaf, and place in the prepared pan.

Bake the meatloaf at 350° for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the tangy sauce by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining onion and bell pepper; cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in ketchup and vinegar; simmer, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.

Remove the loaf from the oven and pour off the pan juices. Spread half of the sauce evenly over the meatloaf and then bake for 25 more minutes.

Serve the meatloaf hot with the remaining sauce.

The Southern Living Community Cookbook

Nothing seems to unite a community together more than food. From potlucks to progressive dinners, Southerners love to get together and enjoy a meal. Sheri Castle, the author of The Southern Living Community Cookbook: Celebrating food and fellowship in the American South, read every single recipe in Southern Living from February 1966 until February 2014 (over 45,000 recipes).

In the Community Cookbook, released in October 2014, Sheri writes that they are more than just cookbooks – they are also “histories, storybooks, souvenirs, and heirlooms.”

She also tells the reader that the first community cookbook was written in 1864 in Philadelphia to raise money for Civil War field hospitals. Through the years, the creation and sale of community cookbooks has been a way to raise funds for civic causes.

The introduction in the book is short and sweet consisting of only a few pages. The rest of the book is full of recipes submitted by Southern Living readers, as well as dishes from cherished community cookbooks, notable chefs, and food writers.

Other Highlights Include:

Chef Recipes from the likes of Matt and Ted Lee, Julia Reed, Lee Chase, and John Currence of Oxford, Mississippi who shares a recipe for his favorite Oyster Dressing
A slew of Southern Living Classics like Hoppin’ John Salad, Boarding House Meat Loaf, and Layered Cornbread Salad
The Southern Tales & Traditions sidebars that are scattered throughout the book tell heartwarming tales of the South’s rich culinary heritage
An entire chapter dedicated to “Pickles, Preserves, and Pug-Ups” with useful recipes for Dilly Beans, Pickled Peaches, and Yam Jam – all the basics for a truly Southern pantry
Since dinner in the South is not complete without dessert, the “Desserts and Sweet Treats” chapter includes decadently delicious recipes for Lemon Tea Bread, Classic Cheese Pie, and Hummingbird Cake.

My opinion? It’s a very nice cookbook and would have benefited with a picture for every recipe. (There are photos of the majority.) I think it would make a nice gift for those who enjoy good, old-fashioned Southern recipes. That is everyone, right?

You can find The Southern Living Community Cookbook: Celebrating food and fellowship in the American South at your favorite bookstore or at amazon.com

Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans.

More Meatloaf Recipes

Home-style Meatloaf in the Instant Pot – Yes! You can make meatloaf in your Instant Pot and this post shows you how.
Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf – This is my personal favorite meatloaf recipe. The topping is what sets this recipe apart.