BBQ Meatloaf Bites

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 small white onion, 1/2 cup diced
• 1 stalk celery, 1/3 cup diced
• 1 medium carrot, 1/3 cup diced
• 1/2 green pepper, 1/3 cup diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce, optional
• 1 soft French roll
• 2 to 3 cooked meatloaf bites
• 2 tablespoons marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
• 2 ounces provolone cheese
• Banana peppers

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, add the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, carrot, celery, green pepper, garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Work everything together until it’s evenly mixed; your hands really are the best tool here.
2. Line a muffin tin with foil to make cleanup easier, then portion the meatloaf mixture into the cups. Aim for about 1/4 cup of the mixture in each one, which should fill each cup about 3/4 full. You’ll end up with about 18 meatloaf bites.
3. Slide the filled muffin tin into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.
4. While they bake, mix the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and hot sauce, if you’re using it, in a small bowl. Once the bites have had their 20 minutes in the oven, take them out and brush the glaze over the tops.
5. Put the muffin tin back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the meatloaf bites are cooked through. If you’re checking with a meat thermometer, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
6. Let the meatloaf bites cool just a bit before taking them out of the tin, then serve them with steamed veggies and potatoes. They should come out neatly and hold their shape without falling apart.
7. For the Dad Add Sub with the leftovers, heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Split open a soft French sub roll and spread on a few tablespoons of marinara sauce. Add provolone cheese, a few meatloaf bites cut in half, and a few banana peppers. Bake the sub for 6 to 7 minutes, until the edges are crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve it warm.