Preheat oven to 350°.
Melt butter in a skillet on med-high.
When butter has melted add the onions, celery and green peppers.
Cook until vegetables are just tender.
Add the garlic and spices and cook until fragrant about 30 seconds.
Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, ground pork (or sausage), eggs, tomato sauce (or catsup), Worcestershire sauce and bread crumbs.
Add the cooled veggies and mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
If the mixture is too dry add 1-2 Tablespoons of milk; if it seems too moist, add a few more bread crumbs (be careful not to over work, overworking the meat will cause your meatloaf to become tough when it cooks).
Shape into a loaf pan or a deep baking dish.
Spread the topping and bake for about 40-45 minutes.
Remove from oven and place bacon on top.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Pour off grease or remove from pan onto a plate using two spatulas.
Chef's notes: Crackers or old fashioned oatmeal may be used in place of the bread crumbs. Original recipe credited to Della Garretson Hoover.
This is the real American Dream.
This meatloaf will make you slap a table and say "get out of town"