PREP TIME:
30 minutes


INGREDIENTS:
12 oz. Package of Alderfer Smokehouse Bacon, cut into small pieces (put 3-4 strips aside)
8 oz. Extra Lean Ground Beef
3 Garlic Cloves, chopper
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 pounds lean ground beef
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 (10oz.) can tomato juice
1 ½ cups cracker crumbs
2 eggs
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Ketchup

DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.Brown the 8 ounces of extra-lean ground beef with the garlic, bacon and half the onion in a skillet, stirring until the ground beef is crumbly.
3.Combine with the 2 pounds ground beef, the remaining onion, celery, tomato juice, cracker crumbs, eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix well.
4.Shape into a loaf in a 10x10 inch baking dish. Cover with ketchup and top with leftover bacon slices.
5.Bake 1 ½ hours and remove from oven.
6.Drain excess fat from baking dish and transfer to serving plate.
7.Serve with beef gravy, mashed potatoes and steamed green beans or carrots.