Jan 13 2009
Works For Me Wednesday: Not Your Momma’s Meatloaf
I was never a fan of meatloaf, until I started playing with the recipe…now I love it and it is a staple in our house.
Now this isn’t the meatloaf from back in the day - the over mixed, over cooked, over dried meatloaf. Doused in ketchup in an attempt to add flavor….this is different.
My secret - I have fun with it and find new combinations of flavors, also key is how you mix up the meat. The biggest mistake when mixing meatloaf is over mixing and breaking up the meat too much - this is what gives it the dry crumbly texture. If you mix it just enough to combine the final product is yummy and juicy.
My other secret - I don’t have time to cook it for 45+ minutes…nope….I use a cupcake pan…..that’s right a cupcake pan. This makes little single serving size pieces, that cook in 15 minutes at 400 degrees. I will admit I stole this idea from Rachel Ray (although her idea was to make it into patties - I liked the single serving idea and just ran with what I had)
Favorite Flavor Combos:
BBQ Sauce, Mozarella (I might add bacon next time)
Italian spices, parmasean
Three Cheese Mix (whatever’s on hand really)
One other tip - if you want to make it healthy do half beef and half turkey - you can cut down on the fat but still keep the great taste.
Oh…and if you are wondering…that is my plate - with my boring salad….sometimes a girl just wants lettuce 
Check out Shanon at Rocks in My Dryer for more wonderful Works for Me Wednesday fun!!
I love the meatloaf in the cupcake pan and I have one son that puts BBQ sauce on everything! I’d love to have you stop by Tasty Tuesday with this! Thanks for sharing! Oh, I do that with lettuce so that made me laugh! Sometimes there’s no time or energy for a FANCY salad!
-Kim
LOVE it! I made a version of this tonight and we call them little meatloaves. My dad called them meatballs when he had them, but they work great for us! Thanks for the tip!
what a fantastic idea!!! My kids love meat loaf and I need some new ideas.
What a fantastic idea! My kids love meatloaf and I need some new ideas!! Thanks!!
Awesome. Here’s why it works for me:
1. Cut the time from 45 minuteto 15. Nuff said.
2. Everybody in family likes meat loaf and with cupcake pan I can customize.
Oh so very cool!
BBQ sauce makes everything taste better. Everything
what a great idea! I’ve got to see if I’ve got cupcake thingies in the oven drawer… I like the single serving concept! Of course, this way my hubby won’t get the “egg surprise” (putting two or three already hard-boiled eggs into the “loaf” before cooking) though…
Okay, the cupcake pan thing was GENIUS!!! I had to give up making my roma meat roll a few years ago because of the time it took and the mess it made…but cupcake pans? I might just have to try that.
Jen
That’s sounds yummy. I have the mini loaf pan that I’ve used for that for the same reason as not having 45 mins. to wait lol. Great job and tip!
Blessings,
Kim
I’m a firm believer that everything is better with bacon! Thanks for sharing.
Those sound like some good combos! I make mine with beefy onion soup mix, egg and bread crumbs because I like mine with mashed potatoes and gravy. YUM!
The cupcake pan is a good idea! I have a meatloaf pan with 2 layers. The top pan has holes to drain all the fat to the bottom for healthier meatloaf.
never knew that about overmixing it!
That is exactly how I cook mine too!!–in a cupcake pan. I cook extra and throw them in the freezer for a quick meal one night!!
I do what I call “Meatloaf Balls.” They are Italian-style meatloafs, cooked in the cupcake pans, and served with spaghetti. My husband does not like meatloaf at all (too many bad experiences with his mother’s cooking as a child), but he, and my son both love these.
What a cool idea! You could really play with that. One of my favorite ways to make meatloaf is to use Ritz crackers instead of breadcrumbs and barbecue sauce instead of ketchup. I think it would be great to make these up and freeze them for a quick lunch or dinner.
I’m loving the muffin cup idea! This just might bring meatloaf back to the Krell household!! Thanks!
The cupcake pan is a fantastic idea! I love my meatloaf recipe already but had NEVER thought of making it in individual sizes with the cupcake pan. Love it. Will use it next time. Thanks!
I wonder if my husband would eat meatloaf if I made it in cupcake pans. I’m willing to give it a try!
15 minutes at 400 - THANKS! I don’t have time to wait on a meatloaf either! GREAT tip!
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