How 'Bout Some Meat Pie?

Meat Pie? Criminy, that could be just about anything! I gotta come up with a better name for this dish. Somebody with more creative juices flowing than I have right now will have to suggest something more attractive . . . and catchy.

Let's just get into it and see where it leads. Okay?

MEAT PIE (NAME HOPEFULLY TO BE IMPROVED UPON SOON)

1 lb. ground beef
5 oz. 1/2 & 1/2
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/3 cup diced onions
1/2-3/4 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded cheese (half cheddar, half mozzarella)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Put ground beef in a medium mixing bowl and add 1/2 & 1/2, bread crumbs, garlic salt and onions. Mix well.

Press meat mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie pan.

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes in a 350° oven.

Drain off excess fat. (Our dog loves when I make this because she gets the drippings over her dog food.)

Spread pizza sauce evenly over meat.

Sprinkle with shredded cheeses, Parmesan and oregano.

Bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Cut into desired slices and serve.

Notes about recipe:

Once I didn't have any bread crumbs, so added about 1/2 cup of diced parboiled potatoes. It was good.

In place of the pizza sauce, you could use ketchup or tomato sauce. I just like the little extra zing the pizza sauce gives.

I've always used a mixture of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Today I used all cheddar because I bought a new brand of mozzarella (bad choice) and do not care for the flavor of it . . . at all. Didn't want to chance ruining the meat pie so didn't use it. But now I know I definitely like the mixture of the two cheeses rather than all cheddar.

My husband who LOVES regular, old meat loaf doesn't like this meat pie as much as regular, old meat loaf. On the other hand, I'm not crazy about meat loaf, but really, really like this meat pie. What does this prove? Darned if I know.

If you try it, I hope it turns your crank.