Mini Mama Mia's!!

What is it about the word MEATLOAF that gives me the creeps?

Is it that those two words, just should not every be used together, meat should not be loafing.....RIGHT?

Or is it that growing up I use to love the T.V. show Roseanne and they were always having "meatloaf", well because they were poor and apparently that's all they could afford. That's what they said anyway.


My husband is not a meatloaf person and honestly neither am I.
I think its the idea of having fillers in our meat.


I make a mean pot of Spaghetti and Meatballs, if I do say so myself and I can promise you there are no "fillers" in my balls :):)

Well this recipe is a meat loaf look alike. But it is OH SO YUMMY!

I came across this recipe in a Kraft Food and Family magazine for Marvelous Mini Meatloaves, there are 4 different ways to top them to make them REALLY YUMMY.... I've only used the BBQ one but I am listing them all. I've also changed the name to Mini Mama Mia's, now I will never again hear Roseanne Barr in my head screaming "KIDS DINNER", THANK THE LORD!

What you need:

1 pound of extra lean ground beef.....I use almost 2 pounds, my peeps are HUNGRY!
1 pack of Stove Top Stuffing Mix 6 oz. or you can put an equal amount of crushed Ritz crackers
1 cup of water

The flavor options:
BBQ-
1 tsp. garlic powder....I use 2 tsp.
3/4 cup BBQ sauce......I use 1 and a 1/2
3/4 Shredded Cheese....I use 1 and a 1/2

Mediterranean-
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
3/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
3/4 cup Athenos traditional crumbled Feta cheese

Fiesta-
2 tsp. chili powder
3/4 cup Thick Salsa
3/4 Mexican cheese

Italian-
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese

Here we go.....

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and what ever seasoning your doing from the choices above.
Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray.
Press meat mixture evenly into 12 medium muffin cups (I end up with 24 minis).
Make an indentation in the center of each with the back of a spoon.
Spoon in your toppings into the indentations.

Bake for 30 minutes or until minis are cooked through.
Top evenly with cheese (again which ever cheese your using) continue baking for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

My kids think these are just like big fat meatballs, there's no loafing going on with these babies!!
I usually make a big pot of veggie rotini pasta with some butter and Parmesan cheese. Throw in some broccoli and dinner is served!

HAPPY COOKING!