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Meatloaf is the star of one of my most vivid memories from the first grade. ย The class was having some sort of circle/sharing time, where everyone sat criss-cross-applesauce on the ground while one chosen student was perched up on a stool front and center, next to the teacher, to “present to the class”. ย 

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On this particular day, we were talking about our favorites. ย I was very shy in the first grade (and pretty much every grade), and probably not so jazzed about being the center of attention in front of the entire class. ย So, when I was asked about my favorite food, and quietly replied “…meatloaf.” — I must have been horrified by the “Ewwww!” I heard shouted out in unisonย by all of my friends.
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I don’t remember what happened next– guess that part of the memory was blocked for good reason. ย I probably turned really red and hid, storing away the moment to recall today; who knows? ย I do, however, remember how amazing my mom’s meatloaf was. ย So, in hindsight-ย 
no regrets. ย 
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Meatloaf does notย deserve the bad reputation it has gotten. ย As long as your mom knows what she’s doing, like mine did, meatloaf should be a very happy thing. ย My mom’s typical meatloaf creation usually contained a mash-up of ground turkey, oats (…yes, oats), and spices that was stuffed with a center of sliced mushrooms, spinach, and melty cheese. ย It was the best.
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Since “evolving” our eating habits to fit the Paleo diet (pun intended), this meatloaf pretty much doesn’t happen anymore. ย So, I come to you with my meatloaf masterpiece that I hope to share with my very own family someday. ย And, it’s Paleo-friendly. ย No dairy, gluten, grains, soy, or oats. ย So, for all you moms out there: make this! It could be the meatloaf that makes memories for your child ๐Ÿ˜‰
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This is the meatloaf with one slice stolen offย the edge… to be shown pretty on a plate (and eaten).
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ย I hope you love the classic, hearty flavors in this meatloaf as much as I do!ย 
Let me know if you give it a try.

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Print Recipe

Classic Paleo Meatloaf

Servings: 5
Calories: 308kcal

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

  • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 large onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen kale
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp molasses (omit for Whole30)
  • dashes hot sauce (to your heat preference)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ยบF. ย 
  • Line a 9 x 5" loaf pan with one large pice of aluminum foil to cover the bottom and fold over each side. ย Lightly coat with coconut or olive oil spray. ย (This step is essential! Drains a tonย of the fat— see picture below— and makes it super easy to remove the meatloaf after baking.)
  • Add all of the meatloaf ingredients to a large bowl, and mix up with a fork (or your hands) until combined.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan, and use your fork to even out the top.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.ย 
  • Meanwhile, combine the tomato sauce, molasses, and hot sauce (optional) in a small bowl to create your sauce.
  • Top the browned meatloaf with the sauce, using a spoon to smooth it over if needed.
  • Return to the oven for an additional 20 minutes. ย 
  • Optional:ย Turn the broiler on high for the last 5 minutes to caramelize the sauce a little.
  • Let the meatloaf cool for a few minutes, then grab hold of the aluminum foil on each side to lift the meatloaf out of the pan & onto a cutting board or serving dish.
  • Serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 253mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Iron: 3mg
Filed   Beef, Whole 30