1960's Home Style Meat Loaf

Nothing says comfort food like meat loaf,
this dish was all the rage in the 1960's,
served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Try leftovers the next day in a sandwich
topped with salsa and shredded cheese.

Ingredients:
3 slices French bread
1/4 cup milk
1 small onion, minced
1 medium red or green bell pepper, seeded and minced
1 cup ketchup, divided
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds ground beef

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Trim the crusts from the bread.
Place the bread in a food processor or blender
and pulse until crumbs are formed.
Place the 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs
in a large bowl and add the milk.
Let sit 2 minutes,
or until all of the milk is absorbed.
Add the onion, bell pepper, 1/2 cup of the ketchup,
the egg, salt, black pepper, and beef.
Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula,
blend until incorporated.
Shape the mixture into a loaf
and place in a baking pan.
Spread the remaining 1/2 cup ketchup over the loaf.
Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours,
or until an instant-read thermometer inserted
in the center registers 160 degrees F.
Let the meat loaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.