Parmesan Meatloaf Muffins

One of my favorite meatloaf recipes (okay, okay, only 1 of 2 I eat haha - the other is Taco Meatloaf!).

Italian flavor meatloaf, topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Yum!

This recipe makes 12 regular sized muffins and 12 mini muffins (much easier for the kids), or you could do approximately 16 regular sized.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground turkey

1 lb ground beef

2 eggs

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup pasta sauce (I usually use tomato sauce with some Italian seasonings mixed in)

1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Grease muffin tins with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, seasonings, and Parmesan cheese.

Fill muffin tins almost full of the meat mixture, packing it down.

Spread a spoonful of sauce over the top, followed by the shredded cheese.

Bake at 350F for about 25 minutes, making sure meat is cooked through.

Let stand for 5 minutes and Enjoy!

adapted from HERE

Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is SOOOO good! Even Matt, who claimed he didn't like cranberry sauce, loves it. Good on turkey, potatoes, and plain. Best part, it is quick and easy - and can be made a day or so ahead of time! In fact, making it ahead of time allows the flavors to blend, so it is even better.

INGREDIENTS:

12oz bag cranberries

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup water

DIRECTIONS:

In large saucepan, combine sugars, juice, and water over medium heat. Add cranberries.

Cook 10-15 minutes, until all cranberries have popped (they do splatter a bit, so if you have a splatter guard, you might want to use it!). Whisk occasionally, helping to mash the cranberries. Pay attention to it as it easily boils over.

Pour into bowl and chill in the fridge. It will thicken as it cools.

Black and White Bean Turkey Chili

This chili has a little bit of kick to it, but not too bad. My boys, ages 3 and 4, both gobbled it up (and they normally just complain about things with beans).  

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground Turkey
1/2 cup chopped onions
2 cans Great Northern Beans (drained, not rinsed)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
8 oz garlic chili pepper cheddar cheese, cubed
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup medium salsa
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4oz can diced green chilis 

DIRECTIONS:
Cook onion and turkey in skillet until browned.
Put rest of ingredients in a large pot. Add meat & onion when they ready. Simmer over low heat 25-30 minutes.

NOTES:
I intended to use jalapeno cheddar cheese but, as usual, the commissary caused me to changed my plans. The chili was still delicious but any sort of cheese with spice would be good too, I think. I have never seen this cheese any where else (although, I admittedly have never looked, so maybe its more common than I realize.)