Recipes

Frozen Food: Mini Meat Loaf

March 2, 2011

mini italian meatloafI have many favorite meals that my mom makes best and meatloaf is one of them. I never thought meatloaf was something for one, but I found a recipe that makes them in muffin tins so they are evenly proportioned and has a few options for adding flavors. Once you make these, pop them out of the tins and then freeze for an upcoming lunch, much like Lin’s Little Chicken Pot Pies.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb lean ground beef
16oz stuffing
1 cup water
1tsp Italian seasoning
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix meat, stuffing, water and seasoning
Spray muffin pan and press evenly into pan
Make an indentation and spoon in spaghetti sauce
Bake 30 minutes at 375* until baked through
Top with cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes

Makes 12 mini meatloaves with a suggestion of two per serving. Even with freezing, six meals is like meatloaf mania for this single girl so I use 1/2 pound or less of meat, bread crumbs in lieu of stuffing and less water (obviously).

You can change this up and use chili powder, salsa and cheddar cheese OR garlic powder, BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese.

Hope you’re enjoying frozen food week and look forward to new recipes and ideas to celebrate our March Madness of Lunch Packing! By the way, what did you pack today?

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9 Comment

  1. lunchitpunchit
    March 2, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    [New Post] Frozen Food: Mini Meat Loaf – via #twitoaster http://lunchitpunchit.com/2011/03/frozen…

  2. lin
    March 2, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    These look really good. I think the sauce and cheese are good way to dress the meatloaf. Hope to see them at lunch one day.

  3. Trashmaster46
    March 3, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    I have to share. I can’t remember the recipe I used, but I had great fun with it. I took these “muffins” to a craft party all frosted with mashed potatoes. We decorated them with ketchup “gel” frosting. They even fooled the 3-year-old in attendance. She was very confused.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/bladerunnerpdx/3757932375/in/set-72157624177746776/

    1. Andi
      March 4, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      those are so cute! I’m infatuated with the book, Hello, Cupcake! like spaghetti and meatballs and the TV dinner.

  4. Mama Kelly aka Jia
    March 6, 2011 at 9:28 am

    Making meatloaf in muffin pans is my favorite way to force portion control. We are big meatloaf fans and it usually disappears much too quickly.

    1. Andi
      March 7, 2011 at 10:53 am

      When people think portion control they almost always think calories, but it is good for making a meal fit its suggested serving size. Those of us who grew up with or are still living with Depression era cooks, know a little about making your money work best.

  5. What’s Up Wednesday | Lunch It, Punch It
    March 30, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    […] in case you missed some this months posts check out udandi’s Mini Meat Loaves for a quick homemade lunch from the freezer,  the Lin’s version of Montgomery Inn Crab […]

  6. Recipe Ideas for the Holidays | Lunch It, Punch It
    December 20, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    […] be made ahead of time and packed in a lunch, which means they work well for this time of year. The Mini Meat Loaf recipe allows you to customize with for Italian, BBQ or Mexican tastes. Lin’s Little Chicken Pot […]

  7. What's Up Wednesday – Lunch It, Punch It
    August 24, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    […] in case you missed some this months posts check out udandi’s Mini Meat Loaves for a quick homemade lunch from the freezer,  the Lin’s version of Montgomery Inn Crab […]

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