It has been a little while since I tried to pull meat loaf past my kids.  It is hilarious how they love hamburgers and meatballs, but when it comes to meat loaf, there is an instant aversion.  I am not sure what it is about it – but I need to get them over the hump.  Meat loaf is just so easy – much easier than making a bunch of meatballs, and more flavorful than normal hamburgers.  Plus, I don’t have to have buns around – although I was seriously thinking about serving this meat loaf on a bun, just to see if they would notice…but I know better than to try that one.

I saw this recipe in Cooking Light and the word “minis” caught my eye.  Maybe if I made mini meat loaves, instead of one big one, they would think they are just huge oblong shaped meatballs?  So I tried it, and it worked.  It also could have been the cheese chunks in the middle – cheese is like butter in my house – everything is better with cheese.  So I wouldn’t say that my girls were telling me this is the best meal they have ever had, but they did eat everything on their plate – which is definitely a compliment.  Oh, I should also let you know – since they are both anti-condiments – I didn’t put ketchup on theirs, and that also helped.  So – at least now I know the secret of making meat loaf for kids – it’s meat loaf minis!

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup  fresh breadcrumbs (about 1 ounce)
• Cooking spray
• 1  cup  chopped onion
• 2  garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2  cup  ketchup, divided
• 3  ounces  white cheddar cheese, diced
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh parsley
• 2  tablespoons  grated Parmesan cheese
• 1  tablespoon  prepared horseradish
• 1  tablespoon  Dijon mustard
• 3/4  teaspoon  dried oregano
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2  pounds  ground sirloin
• 1  large egg, lightly beaten

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs; cook 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently.

While breadcrumbs cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and remaining ingredients. Shape into 6 (4 x 2-inch) loaves on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; spread 2 teaspoons ketchup over each. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until done.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis