Salsa Meat Loaf - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 slices whole wheat bread, crumbled
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
1 cup salsa
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (optional) or 1/4 cup parsley, chopped (optional)
1 sweet green pepper, chopped (optional)
1 stalk celery, chopped (optional)
1 carrot, peeled and chopped (optional)
1 cup corn (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preparation

Combine 1/2 the salsa with all other ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Spoon into 9x5-inch loaf pan, smoothing top.
Spread remaining salsa over top (may be made ahead and refrigerated up to 3 hours at this point).
Bake in 350F oven for 55 minutes or until firm to the touch and meat thermometer reads 170\u00b0F.
Pour off fat.