Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
1⁄2 cup Italian-style dry bread crumbs
1⁄2 cup pepperoni-fl avored pizza sauce (from 14-oz jar)
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 egg
1⁄4 cup shredded Italianstyle six-cheese blend or mozzarella cheese (1 oz)
Additional pizza sauce, heated, if desired

Method:
1 Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except cheese and additional pizza sauce.

2 Press beef mixture into 12 regular-size muffi n cups (cups will be very full). Place muffi n pan on cookie sheet in oven to catch any spillover.

3 Bake about 30 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of loaves in middle of muffi n pan reads 160°F.

4 Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cheese over each loaf. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Immediately remove from cups.

5 Serve with pizza sauce.

Notes and Tips:
Extra-lean ground beef is recommended for this recipe to keep shrinkage to a minimum and limit the fat that accumulates during baking. Reduce the fat even more by using fat-free egg product and reduced-fat cheese.

mini italian meat loaves recipe