Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees . Lightly spray a 9 x 5 loaf pan with cooking spray.

Step 2

In a small skillet, add the onions and butter. Sprinkle with the salt and cook over medium heat until they are soft and translucent - around 10 minutes.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple butter, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Set aside.

Step 4

In a large bowl, add the cooked onions and mix in the ground beef, egg, and crushed crackers. Add in 2/3 of the apple butter hot sauce. (Reserve the rest for making the sandwiches.)

Step 5

Press the meat mixture into the loaf pan. Brush the top with an additional 2 tablespoons of apple butter, and then bake for 1 hour until done.

Step 6

For the sandwich, heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 7

Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices of bread butter-side down in the skillet.

Step 8

Add a slice of cheese to each slice of bread, and then a slice of the prepared meatloaf (above) to each slice of bread.

Step 9

Spoon the reserved apple butter hot sauce on top of the meatloaf slices. Add a leaf of lettuce to each, followed by another slice of cheese.

Step 10

Top with another piece of buttered bread butter-side up. Press the sandwiches slightly and flip to grill the other side. Serve hot.