Trudy’s World’s Best Meatloaf

Meatloaf:
2/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup fresh chopped onions
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1 cup milk
2 slightly beaten eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
Topping ingredients:
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon dry ground mustard

Mix all of the meatloaf ingredients. Mix together well, but do not over handle as this will make the beef tough. Put the meatloaf mixture in a greased or lightly sprayed loaf pan.
*optional variation-you can fold chunks of sharp cheddar cheese into the meatloaf mixture
Mix all of the topping ingredients and spread over the top of the meatloaf before baking.
*optional variation-you can lay pre-cooked bacon on top of the meatloaf before the topping is applied.
Bake at 350 degrees until the center of the meatloaf is done, approximately 1 hour. To test for doneness, cut into the center of the meatloaf.
Remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan immediately and place on a serving plate. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes. Leaving the meatloaf in the pan will allow it to absorb the grease from the baking process.