Mashed Potato-Meat Loaf Casserole

Ingredients

2 onions, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
1 lb. ground beef
3 eggs, divided
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon pepper, divided
4 potatoes, peeled, cubed and cooked
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

Over medium heat, saute onions in oil until tender. Stir in garlic, oregano and dried basil; continue to cook one minute longer. Spoon into a large bowl; set aside for 10 minutes. Crumble ground beef into onion mixture, add 2 eggs, bread crumbs, tomato sauce, fresh basil, broth, vinegar, one teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Thoroughly blend until mixture is combined. Shape into a loaf and place into an oiled 2-quart casserole dish. Using the palms of your hands and the back of a spatula, press beef mixture over bottom and up sides of casserole dish; set aside. Mash potatoes with sour cream, butter and remaining salt and pepper. Beat remaining egg, then fold into potato mixture; stirring until fluffy. Spoon potatoes into the center of meat loaf shell and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to one hour or until potatoes are puffed and lightly golden brown. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 servings

**This recipe comes out of Gooseberry Patch's Recipes For Comfort cookbook.**

**Thoughts~This was very tasty! However, I would put the meat mixture in the oven for 15 minutes or so before putting the potatoes on and cooking. Just my suggestion. :-)**