This week's recipe is an awesome idea for the busy gal on-the-go! I am pleased to introduce my good friend Jennifer, as a wife and a mother of two beautiful girls she certainly knows a thing or two about cooking great food fast! Jennifer has taken a great recipe and shown several varieties on how to make it work for you and your family! Enjoy!!
Meatloaf/Meatballs
4 lbs. ground beef
3 c. dry bread crumbs
4 eggs
1/2 c. ketchup
1/4 c. yellow mustard
4 t. salt
1 t. pepper
4 T. onion powder
1 1/4 c. milk
Combine all ingredients. Mix well.
At this point, you may choose to:
1. Form into meatloaves or place in loaf pans. Bake 375 degrees for one hour.
2. Package raw meatloaf mixture into individual patties*. (This is what I do for our family so I can cook it more quickly in a skillet on top of the stove rather than baking for an hour in the oven.) You may also bake 375 degrees for one hour or freeze raw mixture.
3. Form meatballs (1 – 2 T. each) to be used for other dishes**. For patties & meatballs, I freeze (formed raw meatball mixture) in a single layer on a cookie sheet first. When patties & meatballs are fully frozen, I transfer to freezer bags.
4. Divide raw mixture into 1 lb. packages, wrap in freezer paper or place in freezer bags for later use. The full recipe will make about 6 one-pound packages + a little extra.
*Ideas for Individual Meatloaf Patties
Individual Meatloaves – I cook in a skillet on the stovetop & top patties before serving with a mixture of ½ c. ketchup + 1 T. Worcestershire sauce (adjust more or less to taste).
Salisbury Steak – Cook the same as meatloaf above & top with mushroom gravy.
Hamburger Pot Roast – Place meat patty in the center of a large sheet of aluminum foil. Top with a slice of onion, sliced potatoes, baby carrots, green beans or whatever combination of veggies you like. Wrap each meat/veggie combo in its own foil packet. Bake at 375 degrees for one hour.
**Ideas for Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs – In a large skillet, cook meatballs in margarine or butter until no pink remains. Remove meatballs from skillet, reserving 2 T. of drippings. (Add more butter to make 2T. if necessary) Stir 2 T. flour, 2 t. instant beef bouillon granules and 1/8 t. pepper into drippings. Gradually stir in 2 cups milk or light cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add meatballs back to skillet & heat through. Serve with noodles.
Spaghetti & Meatballs - Bake meatballs at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Add to your favorite pasta sauce & serve with pasta. (I also sometimes cook & crumble the meat mixture and add to pasta sauce to make meat sauce.)
Meatball Subs – Bake meatballs or cook in skillet as indicated above, add your favorite pasta sauce (mine is Bertolli Organic Olive Oil, Basil & Garlic) serve on toasted hoagie rolls & sprinkle with parmesan &/or mozzarella cheeses.
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