½ medium onion, diced fine

½ medium red bell pepper, diced fine

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 envelope onion soup mix

1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 large egg, beaten

1/3 cup ketchup

2 ½  lbs. ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs or dry rolled oats

Line a baking dish with lightly greased foil.

Combine onion and bell pepper with spices, egg and Worcestershire sauce. Mix with ground beef, only until combined. Sprinkle in bread crumbs (or oats) and gently mix just until combined.

Do not overmix.

Shape the mixture into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across. Place in the prepared baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about an hour and a half.

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C),

Cooking time will depend on shape and thickness of the meatloaf.