Hearty ham loaf

/ bloomhearty

Brings warmth and nostalgia to any dinner table.

This ham loaf is a classic comfort dish. It combines ground ham and pork for a savory, flavorful experience. Blended with breadcrumbs, spices, and a sweet glaze, it bakes into a moist and meaty loaf. Serve slices of ham loaf with the recipe glaze, a pineapple glaze, or possibly a mustard sauce for a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes, their smooth texture offsets the meaty richness. Steamed green beans or glazed carrots make excellent sides, adding vibrant colors and nutritional balance. Ham loaf, with its timeless appeal, brings warmth and nostalgia to any dinner table.

Ingredients

For the Ham Loaf

  • 1 3/4 pounds ground ham
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
  • 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Glaze

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions

  1. Preheat Oven
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Make Fresh Breadcrumbs
    • In a food processor, pulse fresh bread slices until you have 2 cups of breadcrumbs.
  3. Prepare Ham Loaf Mixture
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground ham, ground pork, fresh breadcrumbs, milk, beaten eggs, chopped onion, chopped green bell pepper, chopped celery, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
  4. Shape the Loaf
    • Shape the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased baking dish.
  5. Prepare Glaze
    • In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, and Dijon mustard. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
  6. Glaze the Loaf
    • Pour half of the glaze over the ham loaf, reserving the rest for later.
  7. Bake
    • Bake the ham loaf in the preheated oven for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Baste with the remaining glaze every 20-30 minutes.
  8. Rest and Serve
    • Allow the ham loaf to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve slices with the pan juices.

Enjoy your delicious ham loaf as a comforting and flavorful main dish! This recipe pairs well with mashed potatoes or a side of vegetables.

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