By Southern Living 

Revamp your weeknight dinner with a Cajun meatloaf. This recipe starts with the “holy trinity”—onion, celery and green bell pepper. It gets its Louisiana kick from Cajun seasoning.

Cajun-Style Meatloaf

What Is Cajun-Style?

Originating in southwest Louisiana, Cajun cuisine combines traditional French cooking styles with local ingredients. It was developed by the Acadians, a group of French settlers who favored hearty one-pot meals like red beans and rice or Maque Choux.

What Is Creole Seasoning?

Another Louisiana-based cuisine, Creole food was developed with French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. A savory and earthy spice blend with a bit of heat, Creole seasoning is available online or at your local grocery store in the spice section.

If you can’t find Creole seasoning, you could make your own: Combine paprika, dried oregano, ground black pepper, dried basil, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, granulated onion, dried thyme, and granulated garlic.

How To Make Cajun Meatloaf

There are a few steps to this meatloaf recipe, but it all comes together in one loaf pan.

• Step 1. Prep the pan: Tear two pieces of aluminum foil off the roll, then press them into a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan, leaving a 3-inch overhang on the long sides of the pan. The double layer helps prevent spills and seepage, but also makes lifting the meatloaf from the loaf pan easier.
• Step 2. Cook the aromatics: Onions are frequently used to meatloaves, but this wouldn’t be a Cajun meatloaf if we didn’t use the holy trinity—onion, celery, and green bell peppers. So for the second step, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the onion, celery, and green bell peppers. Then, add the Creole seasoning and pepper. Spoon the onion mixture into the bottom of a large bowl. Let it cool for 5 minutes so it’s easy to handle in the next steps.
• Step 3. Make the meatloaf: To the bowl with the onion mixture, add the beef, pork, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, and some of the ketchup. Press the meat into the prepared loaf pan.
• Step 4. Make topping: In a small bowl, combine sugar and remaining ketchup. Spread the ketchup mixture over the meatloaf in the pan. This ketchup mixture is a bit on the sweeter side to balance the spicy hit of the Creole seasoning. But if you wanted to double down on the spice, add a bit of the seasoning to this sauce, too.
• Step 5. Cook the meatloaf: Bake the Cajun meatloaf in a 350°F degree oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour. You’ll know the meatloaf is done when the thickest portion of the loaf registers 165°F on a meat thermometer.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven, and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Using the foil overhangs as handles, gently lift the meatloaf from the loaf pan.

Transfer the pan to a cutting board or platter, and cut into 8 slices.