Meatloaf Muffins

Posted by Lori:

I've never been much of a fan of meatloaf, but since my family likes it, I make it from time to time.  I think part of the reason I didn't like it was always the texture of it.  Making meatloaf in muffin tins seems to take away some of that texture problem for me and it's almost more of a meatball type dish.  This recipe is for our family of six for one night and to have some for leftovers a few days later.  (Note:  In the picture you'll see little fancy looking potatoes.  I'll tell about them tomorrow.)

Meatloaf Muffins

4 pounds ground beef

4 eggs

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons Worchestershire Sauce

Mix ingredients together in large bowl.  If using extra lean ground beef, spray muffin tins before filling with meat mixture.  Using 1/4 cup measuring cup, fill muffin tins.  Bake 30 - 45 minutes at 350 degrees. (If not using a lean ground beef, be sure to put foil or another pan under the muffin tins to catch any spills of juice/grease.) Remove meatloaf muffins from tins and place into casserole dish.  Top with sauce recipe below.

Sauce:

4 - 8 ounce cans tomato sauce (or 2 larger ones would be close to equivalent)

2 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

3/4 cup brown sugar

Mix ingredients together in bowl.  Pour sauce over meatloaf muffins and bake 15 minutes - or can be broiled for shorter amount of time...just be careful not to burn.

The first time I ever made meatloaf in muffin tins were when I was playing an April Fool's Day joke on my kids.  Family Fun magazine showed putting a cooked meatloaf muffin into a cupcake liner, then coloring mashed potatoes (blue or other color) to ice the top.  It looked like a real cupcake!  It was fun doing a crazy, mixed up meal for them for lunch.  April Fool's Day fun meals or funny snacks is tradition we've carried on with them since they were little.  They always look forward to their surprise for that day!