Today we went exploring.   So when we returned home in time for dinner, I decided to make something quick and easy with the ground beef that I had pulled out of the freezer early this morning.  One of my family’s favorite things is when I make mini meatloaves in a muffin pan.  They love it for the novelty and I love it because it cooks in half the time.  This one is especially easy with a yummy gooey cheesy surprise in the middle.

Makes 8 mini-loaves

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef (90/10)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 cup of French Fried Onions
1/2 cup of diced yellow onion
1 large egg
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese-cut into 8 1 inch cubes

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Set aside 1/3 cup of  French Fried Onions.

In a large mixing bowl combine the meat, egg, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, french fried onions, yellow onions and salt and pepper to taste.

Scoop out enough of the meat mixture to just fill one spot in the muffin tin.  Make sure the top is flush with the pan.  With your finger, poke a hole into the center of the meat and place a piece of cheddar cheese into the hole.  With a tablespoon or so of meat mixture flatten it and place it over the cheese.  Continue the following steps until all eight spots in the muffin tin are filled.

Top each of the meatloaves with a few french fried onions.

Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the thermometer reads 165 degrees F.  To remove from the pan, slide a fork down the side and under the meatloaf then slowly lift.

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Photo Credits:  Tilly’s Nest