Sunday Comfort Supper: Mini Meatloaves w/ Spicy-Sweet Sauce, Smashed Taters & Pear-Blue Cheese Salads

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon, Greg's watching the golf channel and we just had one of our favorite Sunday "luppers" (which is a cross between lunch and supper). Pure comfort food.

Mama-Becky's Mini Meatloaves (w/Sweet-Spicy Sauce)

(Adapted from the back of the Lipton onion soup mix… for Texas tastes and moms in a hurry. I love these because they cook fast, there's plenty of sauce so they aren't dry; but the meat isn't mushy -- its nice and firm. Makes great sandwich leftovers, too.)

In a blender or food processor mix:

1 package of dry Lipton onion soup mix

2 slices of bread

2 eggs

¼ c. water

1/3 c. catsup

Blend well and pour into a big bowl along with 2 pounds of ground beef.

Work the “catsup – soup mix goop”in with your hands (take off those wedding rings first.. or it’s a big mess)

Pat into your biggest oblong pyrex pan.

Using the side of your hand, “cut” the flat loaf into 8 or so little mini loaves. It will look like little irrigation ditches along side your mounds of meat.

Bake at 375, draining off grease as the meatloaves cook. (About 30 min.)

While meat cooks put 3/4 c. catsup, 1/4 brown sugar, 1/2 c. picante sauce in sauce pan; heat and stir until sugar melts


Pour over meat loaves when they are done. Put loaves-with-sauce back in oven and turn to broil. Broil until sauce is nice/thick/caramelized.

I always serve these with smashed potatoes -- Just boil small golden potatoes (I cut them in half, do not peel) and when they are soft, drain water off and just mash with potato masher in the saucepan. Add a little butter, milk, salt & pepper (sour cream, bacon bits or chives if you are feelin' fancy) and you are done. Lots less trouble and more nutritious than classic mashed potatoes; and with the golden potatoes -- they are so sweet and rich you don't need much butter.

For some reason, everybody loves this meatloaf – even people who ‘don’t like meatloaf.” Great on sandwiches the next day so I plan on leftovers. Also can easily divide and freeze or give away to a friend in need.

I also served this today with a salad made from Lettuce wedges, Pear-apples (I get them at Sams -- a wonderful cross between the two and perfect for this salad), walnuts (toasted if you have time); and my new favorite blue cheese from Tarago River called "Shadows of Blue." (Tastes like a cross between mild blue cheese and the world's creamiest butter. Available at King Soopers in Denver which is a Kroger affiliate. In deli.)

For a dressing you can add a squeeze of lime and dash of pepper to any of your favorite Ranch Dressings. Today I used Brianna's Homestyle Asiago Ceaser Dressing. I'm a big fan of Brianna's dressings... they cost a bit more but a little adds a lot of flavor and the ingredients are pure and delicious.