Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

I typically plan my weekly menu and shop for ingredients on the weekend, when I have a more relaxed schedule.  On this day, however, I didn't have the time to cook one of the meals I had planned and needed something that would require little meal-prep effort.  This meal was created with basic staples I always have on hand (and so should you).

Ingredients:

1lb turkey sausage (removed from casing)

2 lbs ground beef

1 c cooked sweet potato (diced)

1 c almond flour

2 eggs

10 bacon slices (nitrite/nitrate free)

Oven Roasted Tomato & Garlic Sauce (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients for meatloaf until thoroughly combined. Separate the meatloaf mixture into two loaf pans. Fill the pans to the top (meatloaf will shrink as it cooks).  You can do one of two things with the bacon - either top with the slices of bacon or wrap the bacon slices as best you can around the loaf. 

 The juices from the bacon will soak right through the meatloaf during the cooking process. Bake for 40-45 minutes. If bacon is not crispy enough for you, turn the broiler on and broil for 3-5 minutes (watch closely so the bacon does not burn!).

I like to top the meatloaf with a tomato sauce I make and have on hand for just about everything (this is delicious over an omelet, topped over fajitas or even inside a lettuce wrap.  I triple this recipe and freeze what I will not use for the week.

Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic Sauce

8 roma (plum) tomatoes, halved 

12 cloves garlic, peeled

4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F 

Place the tomato halves in a shallow baking dish in which they can all fit in snugly side by side. Insert the whole cloves of garlic in between the tomatoes. Brush coconut oil over the top and sprinkle with basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, until tomatoes have softened and are sizzling in the pan with the edges slightly charred.  Cool slightly and place in food processor.  Pulse just a few times to get tomatoes diced.  Serve over any desired dish!