2 medium onions
2 green peppers
2/3 c. diced celery
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs or cracker crumbs
1 egg
1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce, reserve 1/2 for gravy
2 1/2 to 3 lbs. ground lean beef (chuck or round ground)

Chop onions, green peppers, and celery. Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil and add chopped vegetables. Cook until tender. Mix with meat, salt, pepper, egg, and bread crumbs and 1/2 can of tomato sauce. Mix well and shape into loaf in large baking dish. Cook for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Drain off grease and pan drippings into another pan. Return loaf to oven and continue cooking for approximately one hour more. Meanwhile, separate fat from pan drippings. Use pan drippings and the other half can of tomato sauce to make gravy to pour over meat loaf. Serves 8-10.