Italian Meatloaf

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red pepper, seeded, small diced (I don't particularly like peppers so I omit this and it's still perfect)
1 onion, diced
2 teaspoons chopped garlic (about 3 cloves)
1 pound ground beef
2 eggs
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup marinara sauce (See Grandma Hadfield's Spaghetti Sauce)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat and add the peppers, onions, and garlic. Saute until just soft, remove from heat and let cool.
When peppers are cool, combine with all of the remaining ingredients except for the marinara sauce. Pack the meat mixture into an oiled loaf pan, if you don't have a loaf pan, form the meat mixture into a loaf shape on an oiled oven tray or baking dish. Top with marinara sauce making sure to spread evenly over the top.
Bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes or until and instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F in the middle of the meatloaf. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve.

Recipe courtesy of Michael Chiarello -The Food Network-