Individual Meat Loaves (Barefoot Contessa) Ina Garten

Submitted by Manami

"Copyright 2005, Ina Garten. We made these instead of burgers for one of the "picnic, hamburger & hot dog" cookout holidays. We have a disadvantage here at the home, the resident's will ignore any food they don't recognize. So we tried these and they loved them! Yay! These are even good enough for company!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups chopped yellow onions
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1⁄3 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 1⁄2 lbs 81% lean ground chuck
• 1⁄2 cup plain breadcrumbs (recommended Progresso)
• 2 extra-large eggs, beaten
• 1⁄2 cup ketchup (recommended Heinz)

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauté pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. (We cooked ours longer, as we like them caramelized, 10-15 minutes).
3. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork.
5. DON'T MASH or meatloaf will be dense.
6. Divide the mixture into 6(10-11 oz)portions.(That is what the recipe calls for but we made them about 4-6 oz).
7. Then shape each portion into a small loaf on a baking sheet.
8. Spread about a tablespoon of ketchup on top of each portion.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the internal temperature is 155º-160ºF and the meat loaves are cooked through.
10. Serve hot.

Reviews

[allenscott3]

Just made this last night for supper and it was outstanding!! Very moist and delicious! When I opened the little can of tomato paste to use in the first part of the sauce, I came up with an idea of how to use the rest of it in this recipe. Instead of using ketchup on the top, I mixed the remainder of the can of tomato paste, a little worcestershire sauce, and some brown sugar. I heated the mixture just a very few seconds in the microwave in order to melt the sugar, and put a spoonful on top of each meatloaf instead of ketchup. It added just the right touch of sweetness.

 

[Bev G.]

After 28 years of marriage I made her mini meatloaf. I would give it a top ten. My mother's meatloaf was boaring. I have a very Happy husband.

 

[ladylaich]

This was delicious! I added parsley to it. The loaves were two servings, and I think I'd like to double the number of "loaves" next time. They didn't really get brown and crusty on the outside but they sure tasted great! I served them with "smashed veggies" and it was a hit! Could have been a little less sweet.

 

[Messie Chef]

Thought this was a great meatloaf. I'm meatloaf challenged, and I think it's because of the meat I use [less fat content]. The recipe turned out perfectly. I used dried thyme as a substitute. I also had to cook mine a little longer. Good mild tasting meatloaf, with good texture. Thanks for posting!

 

[Baby Kato]

This was wonderful. We had this delicious meatloaf for our dinner tonight, it was moist, juicy, flavourful and very tender. We enjoyed it very much. The perfect size comfort food that we served with mashed potatoes and green peas. Thanks very much for posting, you can't fail with a Barefoot Contessa's recipe.