Recipe Swap: BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf with Caramelized Onions

Anytime the Blogger's Choice Swap comes along I jump at the chance to participate.  It's always fun to explore someone's blog and pick the perfect recipe to make from a collection of hundreds.  I spend far too many hours drooling over the blog and debating what to cook!

This week, I received The Jey of Cooking.  There were many recipes which I considered including this simple yet delicious looking Pasta with Tomato Marscapone Sauce and Chicken and Gnocchi Soup.  What always stands out on a blog though is an original recipe so that's what I ultimately went with.

It was super tasty...borderline addictive maybe.  It was a nice combination of sweet and salty with bursts of caramelized flavor from the onion and barbecue sauce.  I used ground turkey because that's what I had on hand and it was good but I'm sure it would be phenomenal with beef.  My husband especially liked the crunchy french fried onions on top.  And, I'll admit I picked them off the top of the leftover meatloaf because no sense in wasting the crunchiness which would inevitably turn to mush with microwave reheating :).

Thank you Jey for sharing and Sarah at Taste of Home Cooking for hosting.  Check out the blog hop below to see what everyone else made!

Two Years Ago: Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Hoagies and Chinese Scallion Pancakes with Asian Beef
Three Years Ago: Grandma B's Chicken a la King and Cream Biscuits

BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf with Caramelized Onions

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Lbs. Ground Beef (I used ground turkey instead)
• 1 Onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
• 3/4 Cup Uncooked Oatmeal
• 1 Egg, Beaten
• 1 Cup Barbeque Sauce, divided
• 1/4 Cup French Fried Onions (from a can)

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.  When hot, Add the onions and let cook until golden and soft, about 35 minutes, stirring just a few times.
2. Preheat oven to 375.
3. Meanwhile, add the ground beef, half of the cheddar cheese, oatmeal, egg and half of the BBQ sauce to a large bowl and, using your hands, mix until combined.  When onions are finished, add to the bowl and, with a wooden spoon, fold in until well mixed.Add meat mixture into a loaf pan coated with cooking spray and form into a loaf shape.  Top with the remaining BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese and bake for 45 minutes.  Remove from oven, add french fried onions and return to oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Source: The Jey of Cooking