BBQ Meatloaf with Cheddar Jalapeno Polenta

I'm not a huge barbecue sauce fan, but my husband Scott would put it on absolutely everything. Opposites attract. However, the barbecue sauce in this meatloaf (which was a last minute substitute for expired ketchup - woops!) was a pleasant surprise! Especially if it's the fancy $12 jar of BBQ sauce that Scott likes to buy! That sauce, along with the addition of chili powder and spicy Italian sausage, really cranked up an otherwise traditional meatloaf. And on top of cheddar jalapeno polenta? Come onnnnnn.

2 cups toasted breadcrumbs (store bought, or made from 6 slices of bread)

1/3 cup milk

1 lb ground beef

1 lb hot Italian sausage

1 onion, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

2 TBSP minced garlic

1 TBSP olive oil

Salt & Pepper

1/4 cup red wine

2 eggs

1 TBSP chili powder

1/4 cup good BBQ sauce, plus more for spreading on top the loaf

 

For the Polenta:

6 cups water or, preferably, chicken broth

2 cups polenta or corn grits

1 jalapeno, diced (or a small can of diced jalapenos)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place breadcrumbs in a large bowl and cover with the milk. Let sit.

(If you're like me and don't like chunks in your meatloaf, blend the onion, celery and garlic together in a small cuisinart or blender. Otherwise leave the onion and celery the diced size!) In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, celery, garlic, salt and pepper, and stir for about 5 minutes. Add red wine and remove from heat.

Add hot onion mixture to breadcrumb bowl. Add meats, eggs, chili powder and 1/4 cup BBQ sauce. Mix together with hands.

On a foil lined baking pan, form meat mixture into a loaf in the middle of the pan. Cover loaf with BBQ sauce. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into it.

While meatloaf is baking, cook polenta according to box. When it's finished, stir in jalapeno and cheese.

Serve a large slice of meatloaf on top of a scoop of polenta. Top with extra BBQ sauce if desired!

Serves 4-6 people.