Lean Paula Deen: Cheeseburger Meatloaf and Sauce

In this wonderful dish, Paula Deen meets Jimmy Buffett to create a "Cheeseburger Meatloaf in Paradise!" It is a wonderful, hearty recipe that is sure to please any man sitting around your dinner table. However, it is light enough for ladies to enjoy as well...just as long as you follow my healthy suggestions.


The Original Recipe
(Serves 6 to 8)


2 pounds ground beef
2 teaspoons House Seasoning
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup sour cream
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
8 to 10 slices of white bread


Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together, except for the bread. Shape into a loaf and place on a 1-inch-deep jelly roll pan lined with the bread slices. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The bread absorbs the grease and should be discarded after loaf is removed from the oven.


Sauce


One 10-3/4 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 soup-can measure of milk
1-1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese


Heat soup and milk over medium heat; add cheese. Pour over meat loaf or pass at the table.


My Healthy Suggestions


* Buy the leanest ground beef. For this recipe, I used 90/10. You could try turkey meat, but I personally feel that ground beef tastes best in the recipe.


* Use 2% Cheddar cheese


* Fat Free or Light sour cream

* Reduced Fat Ritz crackers

* Buy Campbell's 98% Fat Free cream of mushroom

* Use Skim or 1% Milk in the sauce

This dish was great! Give it a try and see what you think. I would love to hear how your "Cheeseburger Meatloaf in Paradise" turned out. ENJOY!

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving):  480 calories;  17g fat;  35g carbohydrate;  46g protein;  1g fiber