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INDIVIDUAL MEATLOAVES WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND MOZZARELLA CHEESE

http://teriskitchen.com/beef/meatloaves.html

SERVES 4

This is one of my mother's recipes. It's a quick, easy and delicious way to make meatloaf on the stovetop for individual portions. Serve with pasta or rice to catch some of the extra sauce. Serve this on a busy weeknight or for casual entertaining.

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 pounds ground chuck or sirloin

7 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1/3 cup chopped green pepper

1 large clove garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

Homemade or store-bought marinara sauce (see note below)

2 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Combine the ground beef with the breadcrumbs, onions, peppers, garlic, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Form into 4 oblong patties about 3/4-inch thick. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. Cook the patties until brown, about 6 minutes per side for medium. Remove from pan.

Reduce heat to medium. Add just enough water to the pan to scrape up all of the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the sauce and stir well. Return the hamburger steaks to the pan. Top each with one-quarter of the mozzarella cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes. Place the meat on individual serving plates; top each with some of the sauce. Serve immediately.

Note: How much sauce you need depends on the presentation. If you just want it for the meatloaves, you only need enough to generously cover the bottom of the pan. However, if you plan to serve pasta or rice, add more for the side dish. See the link on the full page view for my Basic Tomato Sauce. If there is any extra sauce, it can be frozen for a future use.