Meatloaf lovers unite! This smokey barbecue meatloaf is kept moist with well hidden mushrooms and the flavor is well balanced with smoked paprika and barbecue sauce. And an added bonus is the whole wheat bread crumbs to keep it healthy and full of fiber! I dare you to try it!!

On my first day of culinary school, we were issued a standard tool kit. In it were all sorts of delightful goodies including knives, various spatulas, a peeler, zester and the ever necessary instant-read thermometer. As a culinary student, I learned to keep that thermometer always at the ready right in my starched white chef’s coat pocket.

I no longer wear my school-issued whites, but I do always have my instant-read on hand when I am cooking. This is a tool every kitchen should have.  If you do not have one, go and get one.  Right now. Go.  [Okay, well maybe finish reading this post first.] They are inexpensive and will help you figure out when something is done. They are three bucks. By the way, there are nicer, more expensive, digital models. They are even better/more reliable.

This meatloaf is further proof of why you need one.  That’s because, I know for a fact that it is much yummier when it isn’t over-cooked.  That’s because I have tested it a few times and I (kinda, sorta) cooked it to death the first time.  I wasn’t paying attention, what can I say?  So I’m telling you to learn from my mistakes. When you think it is about done, after say, 30 or 35 minutes, get out your instant-read thermometer and insert it into the center of the meatloaf.  It may need a few more minutes, but you’ll know where you stand.  You’re aiming to pull it out of the oven at 160 degrees F, and let it rest at least 5 minutes; the temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees.  That gives you a perfect juicy 165 degree meatloaf.  So make like a good culinary student and keep that thermometer close to your heart. Your meatloaf will thank you.

Before we get to the recipe, I do have a few notes about how this recipe is more healthy than traditional meatloaf.  Even though I used lean ground beef, it really is moist.  That’s becasue the finely chopped mushrooms give it extra moisture. Don’t worry, because they’re finely chopped, they aren’t detectable otherwise if your family isn’t into them.

I used grass-fed beef here, which I’ve discussed before. So you know why it is a healthier choice than corn-fed beef. If you missed it, you can read that post and get another comfort-food recipe here. The smoked paprika and barbecue sauce do a stellar job of balancing any strong meaty flavors. One final make-over note, the breadcrumbs are whole wheat so they add a bonus bit of fiber too. I really like the ones by Jaclyn’s.  They’re in yet another comfort food make-over, macaroni and cheese with broccoli.