Pimiento peppers in the meatloaf put a Southern spin on this comfort food favorite.

It has all the trappings of a stick-to-your-bones, old-fashioned meatloaf with distinctive Southern flair.

Here’s everything it’s crucial that you know.

southern meatloaf slice on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

What Makes Southern Meatloaf Southern?

To make this Southern Meatloaf truly Southern, we added a couple recognizable ingredients.

The first is dicedpimientos, which add sweetness, heat, and tanginess to the meatloaf.

ingredients for meatloaf in bowls

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

The full directions are below.

They have a few tips to help you enjoy it as much as they did.

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1Tbsp.

diced bell pepper cooked in a skillet

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

olive oil

1cup finely chopped green bell pepper (from 1 medium [9 oz.]

pepper]

1/2cup finely chopped sweet onion (from 1 small [6 oz.]

onion)

1cup dry breadcrumbs

1/2cup whole milk

1Tbsp.

breadcrumb mixture for meatloaf

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

Worcestershire sauce

2large eggs, lightly beaten

3Tbsp., plus 3/4 cup ketchup, divided

1 1/2lb.

90/10 lean ground beef

1(4-oz.)

jar diced pimientos, drained

2Tbsp.

southern meatloaf mixture in a clear glass bowl with spatula

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2tsp.

smoked paprika

1 1/4tsp.

light brown sugar

1tsp.

meatloaf pressed into loaf pan beside an aluminum foil-lined pan

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

dry mustard

Directions

Prepare oven and pan:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cook bell pepper and onions:

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high.

Add bell pepper and onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 5 minutes.

meatloaf turned out onto baking pan

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

Transfer to a large bowl, and let cool 5 minutes.

Be careful not to overmix.

Form meatloaf:

Press meatloaf mixture evenly into loaf pan.

ketchup mixture in a bowl

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

Invert pan onto foil-lined baking sheet to release meatloaf.

(Alternatively, shape meat mixture into a 9- x 5-inch loaf shape on baking sheet.)

Bake meatloaf:

Bake meatloaf in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

southern meatloaf with ketchup topper

Credit:STACY ALLEN; FOOD STYLIST : KAREN RANKIN; PROP STYLIST: LINDSEY LOWER

Remove from oven, and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.