💜 Bri’s Favorite Meatloaf – A Comfort on Every Plate

Welcome back to In Bri’s Kitchen, where flavor tells stories and love lives in every bite.

Some meals don’t just feed your belly — they feed your soul. For Bri, that was meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes. No matter how many times we made it, it was always her comfort food, her go-to request, and something she’d smile about before the plate even hit the table.

This wasn’t just a dinner — it was a moment. And Bri had a rule: Save some for tomorrow because nothing beats a leftover meatloaf sandwich.

🍽️ The Story Behind the Dish

Bri battled lupus for nearly a decade, but she never lost her appetite for the meals that brought her joy. And when she was home from the hospital or having a tough day, this dish was one of her favorites. She’d say, “Put on something cozy, and make the meatloaf.”

There was something grounding about it — the smell of onions and garlic baking into that warm loaf, the mashed potatoes whipped just right, the sweet ketchup glaze caramelizing on top. It made her feel safe, warm, and home.

🟣 Ingredients – Meatloaf

• 1 lbs ground beef (80/20 works best)

• 1 lb ground pork

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp mustard (optional)

🍠 Homemade Mashed Potatoes (Bri-Style)

• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 2 tbsp sour cream

• 1/4 cup butter

• Salt to taste

• Optional: 1 clove garlic, boiled with potatoes for extra flavor

Directions:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender.

2. Drain and mash with butter, milk, sour cream and salt.

3. Whip until creamy and smooth (or leave them a little chunky — Bri liked them both ways depending on her mood).

🔪 Instructions – Let’s Make It

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, mix beef, onion, garlic, egg, milk, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire, ketchup, salt, and pepper.

3. Shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish.

4. Mix glaze ingredients and spread over top.

5. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until fully cooked.

6. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans (another Bri touch).

🥪 The Day After – Bri’s Meatloaf Sandwich

She loved this part.

Take a cold slice, reheat it in a pan (or leave it cold!), and place it on toasted bread with a little mayo or leftover glaze. Add pickles or cheese if you want. Simple, satisfying, and pure Bri.

💜 Bri’s Notes:

“If you’re gonna make meatloaf, don’t forget the mashed potatoes… and don’t you dare toss the leftovers.”

This one’s for her.

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below or tag @InBrisKitchen96 on social. Let’s keep her spirit cooking.