mini meat loaves

***This recipe can be baked as a regular loaf as well.

I've never been a fan of meat loaf.  I'm not sure what is so different about this recipe but I love it.  My friend Sarah once told me she was going home to "cook in a cup" with her girls.  They had received a kids cookbook that came with 6 silicone cups.  The book is made up of quick meals and treats kids can cook in the cups.  Thanks to my online shopping compulsion,  the cookbook and the cups arrived on my doorstep less than two days later.  It is so cute!!! The author is  a professionally trained french chef so all of the recipes are simple, delicious and kid friendly!  And most importantly, many of them can be prepped ahead.

The book comes with 6 silicone cups which isn't enough.  I bought 12 more to eliminate the need to bake multiple batches of things.  No time for that.

My only major complaint about the recipe is that you need to break out your food processor or blender.  Other than that, the recipe is super simple.

Ingredients for 12 meatloaves:

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 clove garlic

1 carrot,  chopped

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 lb ground beef or turkey (the pic shows them made with turkey)

3/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup tomato paste (or ketchup)

2 T worcestershire sauce

1/8 t dried oregano

1 egg

pinch of salt and pepper

1.  In a food processor combine onion, carrot, garlic and parmesan cheese.  Process until finely chopped.

2.  Pour mixture into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.  Mix until well combined.

3.  Spoon the meat mixture into the cups, filling them to the top, or shape into a loaf and place in a 9 X 11 pan.

4.  At this point you can put it all in the fridge and save it to be baked at dinner time.  Or bake the cups on a baking sheet at 350 for 20 minutes.  (If baking the loaf, bake at 350 for 1 hour).

Prep Ahead:  Prepare the meat loaves the night before and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.