River Run Restaurant Meat Loaf

Set the oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and, when it's good and hot, saute the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic until they begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, mix together the meats, crumbs, salt, pepper, herbs, barbecue rub, Worcestershire sauce, milk, eggs, and 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce. When the vegetables have cooled well enough to handle, put them in the bowl and mix everything together with your hands.

Place the meat loaf in a baking pan--a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan works well--and pat it into shape. Pour the remaining 3/4 cup barbecue sauce over the top, spreading it evenly.

Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes to an hour.