Meatloaf Muffins

Who doesn't like cute things?  Kittens, puppies, babies...  Speaking of babies, a close friend of mine just had a new baby girl and I wanted to take them something for the freezer.  Something they can pop in the oven while juggling a newborn and  lack of energy.  These seemed like the right thing to do....little wee mini meat muffins.
You could absolutely use your  favourite meatloaf recipe or you can use this old school tasting recipe, which I have adapted from Ina Garten.  It's the recipe I go to, time and time again.  It's simple and classic. There is an additional step of sauteing the onions but it ensures you won't get chunks of raw onion throughout the meat and it keeps it deliciously moist.
These freeze well.  Just bake them as per the instructions, let them cool slightly, pop them into the freezer. *To re-heat, let them thaw slightly and then simply place them in a 350F oven for between 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

Meatloaf Muffins

Makes 12

1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 large Sweet Onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh Thyme, chopped
1 tsp salt
freshly ground Pepper
2 tbsp Worcestershire
1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp Tomato Paste
2lb Lean Ground Beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup Ketchup or Chili Sauce

Preheat the oven to 375F.
In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, then the onions, garlic, salt and pepper and Thyme.  Cook stirring for a couple of minutes, making sure not to burn them.  Remove from the heat and the Worcestershire, chicken broth and tomato paste, stirring to combine well.
In a large bowl, tip in the ground beef, bread crumbs and beaten eggs.  Add the onion mixture to the meat.  With your hands or a fork, gently combine all the ingredients, making sure not to mash the mixture or it will become dense.
Lightly grease or spray the muffin cups.  Divide the meat between the 12 muffin tins.  Spread either the ketchup or chili sauce over each one.
Bake for 45 minutes, turning the pan once halfway through to ensure even browning and cooking.

*Once baked and cooled slightly, the meatloaves can be frozen and then re-heated in a 350F oven for 20-30 minutes.