Mini Meat Loaves with Mashed Potatoes

Meatloaf is the quintessential comfort food. We all come from families where everyone has their favorite recipe, and some recipes are even passed down through generations. Meatloaf is a humble dish, easy to prepare, not too fancy in ingredients. It's a filling meal when paired with a bowl of mashed potatoes.

Recently, I came across some Better Homes and Gardens ideas with all sorts of fun and surprising recipes made in a muffin tin. This one caught my attention. Here's a recipe that elevates your standard meatloaf and mashed potatoes to a whole new level. It's definitely company worthy too!

 Mini Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Pies a.k.a. Meatloaf Muffins

Cook's Notes: The recipe requires a few extra steps, but SO WORTH IT. We loved it for its presentation, flavor, and texture. The recipe was adapted from BHG and makes 10 meatloaf muffins.
Cooking Tip: Start with two pieces of bread, and add another if the meatloaf mixture needs more binding.  I used prepared mashed potatoes as a time saver. 
Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef (85%)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 to 1 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs or 2- 3 whole wheat bread slices )
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup shredded carrot 
• ⅓ cup chopped onion 
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup whole cranberry sauce, not jellied
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1- 14-ounce package refrigerated sour cream and chive mashed potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes (I found this package below near the deli and they were microwavable)

• ½ cup shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
• Snipped fresh chives (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor place onions, carrots, garlic, and 2 slices of bread. Pulse 2-3 times. In a large bowl, stir together beaten eggs, bread crumbs, carrot, onion, garlic, parsley flakes, mustard, 3 tablespoons ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Add ground beef; mix well.
• Lightly grease the bottom of each muffin well.
• Form about 1/3 cup of the meat mixture into a ball and place each one into muffin wells. Place muffin pan on a large baking sheet. In a small bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup ketchup, the cranberry sauce, and chili powder. Top each meat portion with 1 tablespoon of the ketchup mixture.
• Bake, uncovered, for about 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Place each meatloaf muffin on the baking sheet to drain.

• Meanwhile, heat potatoes according to package directions. Add meatloaf balls back into the muffin pan. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup or an ice cream scoop, top each muffin with cooked potatoes. Sprinkle potatoes evenly with cheese. 
• Bake, uncovered, for about 5 minutes more, or until the cheese has melted. Top each muffin with snips of chives.