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
First Look, Then Cook 