The Simple Meatloaf

Makes 4 servings, can be doubled

1 pound lean ground beef 
1 egg
breadcrumbs or oats
onion powder
garlic powder
Italian seasoning
ketchup

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Have a loaf pan or baking dish ready.  

Place the ground beef in a nice, roomy bowl, then add the egg.  Pour in about a half-cup of bread crumbs.  Add seasonings to taste - start with about 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Squeeze in about 1/3 cup or so ketchup.  Now, using your very-clean hands, thoroughly mix and squish the ingredients together.  Still using your hands, form the mixture into a loaf or round shape.  (In the picture, I used a square, glass baking dish and made my meatloaf round.)  Make sure the mixture is nice and firm, compact and smooth.  Place the loaf into the pan, then squeeze a zig-zag of ketchup on top.  Place the pan into the preheated oven.  

For a 1-pound loaf, bake for about 45 minutes.  If you double the recipe and make one large loaf, bake for about an hour.  If I'm not sure it's done, I just take it out, let it set for about a minute then cut through the center.  The meat should be cooked thoroughly with no pink showing.  When it's ready, let it set for about five minutes, then slice or cut into wedges to serve.