Healthier Mini Meatloaves

 A few weeks ago, My Oldest decided he wanted to have meatloaf.  An interesting request, and since it's not something I normally make I made a "mental" note of it and pushed it to the side for a bit.  I remember eating meatloaf when I was growing up, I think everyone had some version of it with ketchup topping it off.  I think it was usually served with mashed potatoes.  Something about that combination seems, well... kind of "right".

I've been incoporating more healthy recipes into our weekly meals and picked up a copy of EatingWell 500-Calorie Dinners Cookbook recently.  I plan to do a full review of it after I make a couple more recipes, but so far I'm enjoying the book.  Which leads me to how we ended up making a healthy version of meatloaf!

As I was paging through and marking recipes to try, I noticed a pretty simple, yet lightened up version of meatloaf made in a muffin tin.  The meatloaf is made into portions ahead of time!  A fabulous way to ensure that you only eat the amount you want without going over your calorie needs for the day.  I also liked that it was just plain ketchup poured on top of the mini-meatloaves, it was kicked up by adding Worcestershire sauce (can anyone really say that word without tripping over their tongue?).

Since My Oldest was the one who wanted meatloaf, I enlisted him as the main "chef" for dinner that night.  I gathered the ingredients and helped him with the measurements, but the mini meatloaves were really prepared entirely by him.  And, he was so proud!  He has learned how wonderful it feels to make something and share it with the family ... and, have them enjoy it!  Yes, this recipe was a hit with all of us and we'll be making it again... or rather My Oldest will be making it again as it is now on his list of recipes that he can make for us.  I love that he has become so interested in cooking lately.

The only change I had to make to the recipe was to use 1/2 turkey breast and 1/2 lean ground beef because I couldn't get ground pork at my grocery store the day I went.  The place was a madhouse and the meat counter was too busy for me to bother waiting for my turn.  Next time, I do think we'll try it with the combination of three meats to see how we like it that way, but if you can't do it that way making this slight change will work with great results.

Eating Well has posted the full recipe on their site, so I am referring you there for the recipe (click HERE).  Give it a try, you may decide you enjoy this version of meatloaf better than the traditional one.

The link above for the cookbook will take you to Amazon where you can find out more about the cookbook and purchase if you choose to.  I receive a small referral fee if you decide to purchase the book.

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.