Bacon 'n' Cheese Meatloaf

Prep : 30 minutes      Bake : 1-1/2 hours    Makes 1 loaf (8 servings)

1                teaspoon canola oil
1/2             cup shredded carrot
1/2             cup finely chopped onion
1                cup soft bread  crumbs
1/2             pound bacon strips , cooked and crumbled
2                eggs lightly beaten
4                teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2                teaspoons garlic powder
2                teaspoons pepper
1                teaspoon salt
2                pounds ground beef
TOPPING :
3/4            cup crumbled blue cheese
2                tablespoons  minced fresh sage
2                tablespoons  minced fresh chives

1 .     In a small  skillet , heat oil over  medium-high heat . Add carrot  and onion ; cook and stir  until tender .  Cool slightly .
2 .     In a large  bowl , combine  the bread crumbs  , crumbled bacon  , eggs , Worcestershire  sauce , spices  and carrot mixture  . Add beef ; mix  lightly  but throughly.
3 .      Shape into an 8-inch x 4-inch loaf , in an ungreased  13-inch x 9-inch baking dish  , bake uncovered  at 350*  for 1-1/4 hours  or until a thermometer  teads 160*.
4 .      In a small bowl , combine  the topping ingredients  ; mix well . Pat onto meatloaf ; let stand  for 10 minutes  before serving. Remove to platter .

Added blue cheese  and bacon for extra flavor  and will be an amazing success .

TIP :  you can use ground turkey instead of ground beef   for the family that can't have a lot of red meat ; just as good .