Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread & Mozzarella Meat Loaf

2 yummy recipes that I made today that I wanted to share:

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
**I'm not even a huge pumpkin fan like a lot of people are, but I loved this recipe!
I halved it since I just had 1/2 can of pumpkin puree to finish, but I used the regular amount of chocolate chips - you can never have too much chocolate, right? I also used unsweetened applesauce for half of the oil, and the bread turned out soo moist and delicious. I think next time I'll try substituting applesauce for the whole amount and cut down on some more calories and fat.[but it's worth it when it comes to the chocolate, right? ;) ]**

3 cups white sugar

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

4 eggs

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) (*I didn't put any in mine)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 1 pound size coffee cans, or three 9x5 inch loaf pans.(I used one 9x5 pan and 2 small loaf pans) 
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Fill cans 1/2 to 3/4 full.
3. Bake for 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from cans or pans.

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Mozzarella Meat Loaf
**I halved this recipe as well since it makes a lot. Tony and Hannah Beth both loved it (so did I)- I think next time I will go ahead and make the whole recipe and have some leftovers to put in the freezer**

• 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 can (8 ounce) pizza sauce
• 3 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese, halved
• Green pepper rings, optional
• Sliced mushrooms, optional
• 2 tablespoons butter, optional
• Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

• Mix beef, eggs, crumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, onion, salt and oregano. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 1-1/4 hours or until no pink remains; drain.
• Spoon pizza sauce over loaf and top with mozzarella cheese slices. return to oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
• Meanwhile, if desired, saute green pepper and mushrooms in butter; arrange on top of meat loaf. Sprinkle with parsley if desire. Yield: 8-10 servings.