Heart-Shape Mini Meatloaves

Emily has been making these meatloaves since her kids were little. The kids would recognize Valentine’s Day as Love Day, and this was the perfect way to shape one of their favorite dishes into hearts. If you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, be sure to cut out hearts from potatoes and roast them to serve alongside.

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Yields4 Servings
Cook Time20 mins
 1/3 cup (75 mL) dry seasoned bread crumbs
 3 tbsp (45 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
 1 large egg, lightly beaten
 1/2 cup (125 mL) pasta or pizza sauce, divided
 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
 1/4 tsp (1 mL) black pepper
 1 small onion, grated or finely diced
 1/3 cup (75 mL) finely diced red or green bell pepper (optional)
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
 1 lb (500 g) extra lean ground beef or veal
 1/3 cup (75 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
1

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, egg, 1/4 cup (60 mL) of the pasta sauce, salt and pepper. Stir in onion, red pepper, if using, garlic and oregano. Add beef and stir to combine well.

Divide mixture evenly into 6 balls and shape into hearts about 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick. Place on prepared baking sheet. Top each with remaining sauce and cheese, if using. Bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted thermometer reaches 160°F (71°C). Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD
Shape the meatloaves and cover baking sheet and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking.

Courtesy of Best of Bridge Everyday Celebrations by Sylvia Kong and Emily Richards © 2022 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with permission. Available where books are sold.
https://www.bestofbridge.com/catalogue/best-of-bridge-everyday-celebrations/

Ingredients

 1/3 cup (75 mL) dry seasoned bread crumbs
 3 tbsp (45 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
 1 large egg, lightly beaten
 1/2 cup (125 mL) pasta or pizza sauce, divided
 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
 1/4 tsp (1 mL) black pepper
 1 small onion, grated or finely diced
 1/3 cup (75 mL) finely diced red or green bell pepper (optional)
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
 1 lb (500 g) extra lean ground beef or veal
 1/3 cup (75 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, egg, 1/4 cup (60 mL) of the pasta sauce, salt and pepper. Stir in onion, red pepper, if using, garlic and oregano. Add beef and stir to combine well.

Divide mixture evenly into 6 balls and shape into hearts about 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick. Place on prepared baking sheet. Top each with remaining sauce and cheese, if using. Bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted thermometer reaches 160°F (71°C). Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD
Shape the meatloaves and cover baking sheet and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking.

Courtesy of Best of Bridge Everyday Celebrations by Sylvia Kong and Emily Richards © 2022 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with permission. Available where books are sold.
https://www.bestofbridge.com/catalogue/best-of-bridge-everyday-celebrations/

Heart-Shape Mini Meatloaves