Michelle Cooks

Mini Meatloaves with Big Comfort Flavor

There’s something about a rainy day that just calls for serious comfort food. And meatloaf is always a family request around here. But it’s not a dish you can rush. Also not a dish you want to start putting together about the time dinner needs to happen! In a hurry? Try this version that keeps all the cozy flavor you crave, but cuts the baking time way down by turning it into mini meatloaf muffins.

  • 1 pound meatloaf mix
  • 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp celery seed
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup tomato juice

Glaze:

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tbsp tomato juice
  • Ground black pepper to taste

Let’s Cook!

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  2. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray (6 large or 12 regular size)
  3. Assemble the ingredients for the glaze and set aside
  4. In a large bowl, mix all the meatloaf ingredients until well combined.
  5. Fill each muffin tin with the meatloaf mix
  6. Brush with the glaze
  7. Bake for 15-25 minutes (depending on the size of the pan you’re using) until the temperature is 165 degrees
  8. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving

For some reason, meatloaf needs peas (or is this just another kitchen rule I have made up?). I toss mine with a little Milanese gremolata olive oil and fresh dill or mint. Mashed potatoes or crispy tots? Optional… but at my table.

What’s your favorite way to speed up a comfort classic? Let us know so we can try to up our kitchen speed game!

Eat well friends!

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