Makes 12-15 mini loaves
3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
2 large onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 lbs. Ground chuck meat
8 oz. Canned tomato sauce
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup soft bread crumbs
2 tablespoons Tabasco Chipotle pepper sauce
1/2 cup cheddar or parmesan cheese
1 cup good quality tomato ketchup
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
12-15 mini-loaf pans or muffin pans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add the onion, and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft. Put the cooled onion and garlic mixture in a large bowl and add all the remaining ingredients, except the ketchup, and mix.
Place 3/4-1 cup of meat loaf mixture in mini loaf pans or muffin pans. Brush eat meat loaf with a tablespoon of ketchup. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Note: The meat loaves can be made ahead of time. Let cool and freeze on a baking sheet, then package in freezer bags. When ready to serve, defrost and reheat in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 15-20 minutes.
