Mini Meat Loaves(Or Meat Balls)
Mini meat loaves with savory seasonings and tender beef, perfect for family dinners or entertaining, served with classic sides like potatoes and broccoli for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix thoroughly 1/4 cup tomato soup, ground chuck, bread crumbs, egg, onion, salt, pepper, sage, and thyme.
- Shape the mixture into about 6 small mini meat loaves, pressing firmly.
- In a skillet, brown the meat loaves in shortening over medium heat.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Mix together the remaining tomato soup, seasonings, and water; set aside.
- Cover the meat loaves and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
- Add the soup mixture to the skillet.
- Cover again and cook on low until the meat is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot with parsleyed potatoes and broccoli.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider incorporating grated cheese or finely chopped bell peppers into the meat mixture. If you don't have ground chuck, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative. Ensure to check the internal temperature of the meat loaves, aiming for 160°F for safety. If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, a dash of sugar can balance the acidity of the tomato soup.
Serving Suggestions
These mini meat loaves pair beautifully with parsleyed potatoes and steamed broccoli for a well-rounded meal. For a heartier side, consider serving with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. Additionally, they can be transformed into meatball subs by placing them in a bun with marinara sauce and cheese. Explore more American recipes for diverse meal options.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the cooled mini meat loaves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, place them in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through. They can also be reheated in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mini Meat Loaves(Or Meat Balls) contains roughly 388 calories, with 7g protein, 58g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (141% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1395mg per serving (61% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of tomato soup?
If you don't have tomato soup on hand, you can substitute it with a mixture of crushed tomatoes and a bit of sugar to cut the acidity, or use canned tomato sauce combined with a splash of vinegar and seasonings. This will still provide that desired tomato flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).