Andrew was taking Smith to tee ball and I had planned on making pasta while they were gone, but after they left…I really just wasn’t in the pasta mood (shocking but true).
I knew I had a pound of ground beef and a box of frozen spinach and well, this just happened. And it was so good! Not only were these yummy, they were so fast and simple to whip up! Plus, my kids love meatballs, so these mini meatloaves were just really big meatballs in their eyes…perfect. I just love it when my kids are eating spinach :).
Dinner will be on the table quick with this meal!
Shopping List
1 pound of ground beef (ground turkey works too!)
1 box of frozen spinach, thawed and all of the excess water squeezed out
2 eggs
1/2 cup breadcrumbs or Panko
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
1 tablespoon (just a good splash) of milk
1 (8 oz) jar of tomato sauce
Mozzarella cheese, shredded to garnish
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with foil (for easy clean up) and lightly spray with Pam. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients with your hands or a wooden spoon. Add in one tablespoon of your Italian seasoning to the meat mixture and combine with a splash of milk.
Divide the mixture into 6 sections. Take each section and shape it into a little rectangular loaf. Place each loaf on your foil lined baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine your last tablespoon of Italian seasoning with your tomato sauce. After 20 minutes, open the oven door and pour a little tomato sauce mixture over each mini loaf then return the pan to the oven and cook an additional 10 minutes.
Remove your loaves from the oven and garnish with a little Mozzarella.
Done!
Whip this little meal up on those nights when you’re really busy…dinner will be done in no time!
Narci says
What a great idea!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Love a mini meatloaf! Fun AND Delicious!
Anonymous says
I'd like to make some and have leftovers to freeze. Would you freeze before or after baking?
Mix and Match Mama says
You could do either way…but I would probably freeze before baking. It will just take a little longer to bake if they're frozen first.
Melanie says
I have fresh spinach leaves…can I just throw those in?
kelli says
Just want to say thank you for the great recipe ideas and the meal plans! I don't comment often, but I do use your recipes and appreciate the time and effort that goes into it! 🙂
Nicole says
Hi! I just love, love, love your blog! You have helped me love cooking dinner… my hubby thanks you! 😉
Anyway, do you have any tips / tricks for thawing & squeezing out water from frozen spinach? I just love spinach but that is always such a pain to me… I would love any tips you have!
Mix and Match Mama says
For the spinach, defrost the box in the microwave and then empty the contents into a clean kitchen towel…next, squeeze the water out over the sink and your spinach will be nice and perfect inside your towel. Simple!
Mara Kreiling says
Do you have any ideas on what I could use as a substitute for the eggs?
Mix and Match Mama says
If you can't use eggs, I would roll these into meatballs instead and bake them for about 18 minutes. In the smaller size, you won't need the egg to "bind" it together.
Mara Kreiling says
Thank you!
Erica Gammon says
Made these yesterday and just popped one in the oven for a yummy lunch! So quick and easy!! Thanks, Shay!!
Elizabeth T. says
I might have overlooked it, but where does the tablespoon of milk come in?
Mix and Match Mama says
Thanks for catching my typo! I've updated the recipe correctly!
Tracy says
I made these mini meatloaves tonight for dinner and we loved them! I was telling my family that this is the third recipe from your site that I've made and we've liked. My teenage daughter says "she must know her stuff". 🙂 I'm thinking Mondays will be Mix & Match Mondays with a new recipe each week. Sounds like fun to me!
Lisa St Peter says
I let my frozen spinach sit in the sink in a colander and then squish it down, so the moisture flows out, with paper towels.
Tiffany Davis says
Omyummy!! Making this tonight and it smells amazing!