Photo updated July 2012
Last week I shared one of my favorite ways to save money in the kitchen by making sure ingredients don’t go to waste. This week, I want to show you a couple of recipes that help to utilize leftovers!
Now, I can’t take credit for these recipes, because they were featured in the magazine with the purpose of using the leftovers for another meal. But I really liked the idea of preparing ahead of time and using leftovers to create a whole new meal. Plus, they both sounded good to me! Today, you will get the meatloaves, and tomorrow, I will show you the quesadillas that come from the leftovers.
I’ve mentioned before, but my husband is not a meatloaf fan. It’s one of the very few things that I never make because he just won’t eat it. But guess what?? He liked these!! I’ve never done a meatloaf in a skillet before, but I loved how moist the end result was. That is my husband’s biggest issue with most meatloaf – that it is too dry. But not only are these cute, but they are moist and tasty – and take less than an hour to prepare!!
My only caution would be that the portions are not that big. If you plan on making leftovers for the quesadillas, you might need to make a little more than the recipe.
Mini Skillet Meatloaves
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 small onion finely minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic grated or finely minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Mix the breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion, chili powder and garlic in a large bowl. Add the meat, season with salt and pepper and mix with your hands until combined. Shape into six 3-to-4-inch oval loaves.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the loaves and brown about 3 minutes per side.
- Whisk the ketchup, sugar and vinegar in a bowl and brush a few tablespoonfuls over the meat. Add 1/2 cup water to the skillet, cover and simmer over low heat until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the loaves to a plate. Add the remaining ketchup mixture to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring, until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve 4 meatloaves with the hot glaze, reserving 2 for quesadillas.
- --------------------
- Slightly adapted from Food Network Magazine December 2009
Original photo from 2010
MontyFam says
just made these and they are delicious! Very budget friendly as well. I will be making these again and again!
Sophie says
I'm one of those people that loves leftovers AND meatloaf AND meatloaf sandwiches :). So you know my tummy's rumbling right now :D.
I love your new blog layout–very pretty!
Kim says
I absolutely love meatloaf! It looks great. Great idea for the meatloaf quesadillas -those sound even better. I really like that idea.
leo says
This sounds delicious to me. I really don't eat meat that much but I will give this one a try.
cedar chests
Maria says
I don't eat meat but these are still cute!
teresa says
i will definitely have to try these. adn i love the leftover ideas. lately i feel like we're being eating alive by leftovers, i need all the help i can get!
Abby says
Chili powder is an interesting addition. I make a LOT of meatloaf since it's Brad's fave, but I've never made a spicy one!
Barbara says
Aren't those the perfect meatloaves? Love mini anything. Individual is just right when cooking for one or two.
I hate to admit it, but I also love the ketchup/brown sugar mixture on top.
grace says
ah, so cute. far and away, my favorite part about meatloaf is the top portion doused in glaze. that would undoubtedly be the draw for this version too–sounds great!
Julie says
Sounds delicious to me! I never used to be a big meatloaf fan either, but I'm starting to change my mind.
Patsyk says
I have a recipe for mini meatloaves planned for tonight! Yours look great… and I'm hoping my boys will enjoy them so that we can add something else to the "usual" rotation that will make some leftovers for another night.
Bellini Valli says
I am loving these Deborah. You are able to get all the comfort of meatloaf very quickly without all the time involved of slow baking.
Kat says
GREAT idea! I'm just cooking for myself, so these would be wonderful to make and freeze for a later date. Thanks!
Leslie stoehr says
@Kat,
Are you able to freeze them ?
Bought Salisbury steak one time for hubby and they were awful ..
If I can freeze these and thaw them out ..they would be the way to go
Thanks for your help
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
That is a wonderful idea! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
kat says
Mini meatloaves are such a good idea especially when you are just cooking for two.