Mozzarella Meatloaf Muffins

This is one of the only recipes that I can actually claim as my own.  Several years ago, my friend Stephanie went to Let's Dish and made something similar to these Mozzarella Meatloaf Muffins.  That's where I first got the idea, but I couldn't find a recipe anywhere. I googled and searched and nothing.  Finally, I decided that it couldn't be all that difficult and I could just come up with one on my own.  After all, it was really just a meatloaf with cheese in the middle.

Since I first start cooking this recipe, I have made a few changes. I usually add some of the BBQ sauce into the meat mixture.  If you have never tried Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, then it is a must for this recipe.  I prefer the Hickory and Brown Sugar flavor. Most recently, I have found this at Walmart for $2.00.  Food lion has the same bottle for nearly $3.50ish. At Costco, you can find a package of two bottles for about $4.98.  Walmart clearly has the best price for Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce.

Mozzarella Meatloaf Muffins

1 small onion (or ½ large onion)

½ green bell pepper

1 to 1 ½ lb. lean ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs

1 egg

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (opt.)

¼ cup milk

1 Tbs. garlic powder

salt & pepper (to taste)

Mozzarella String Cheese (6 sticks)
Hickory & Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s)

Preheat Oven to 350º. Finely chop onion and green pepper (or put into food processor). Put ingredients into mixer bowl. Add beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbs. BBQ sauce, salt and pepper. Blend ingredients in mixer at a low speed (You can use your hands in a bowl, but this is a lot less messy).

Cut cheese into 2 pieces. Shape meatloaf into balls. Place into greased muffin pan. Using your finger, make a hole in the center and insert 1/2 stick of string cheese. Bake for 27 minutes (or until brown). Serve with barbecue sauce. Yield: 9 - 12

I also made green beans again tonight, but I did not retry the dill recipe.  I just made these the way I normally do.  I used bacon grease, onion, garlic salt and pepper.  They were delicious. Everyone that has made these tells me that they're delicious (and they would be correct). If you decide to use your mixer to combine the ingredients, make sure that you put all the ingredients in the bowl first and then use the mixer for a very brief amount of time.  You don't want to make mush.  You can also use your hands, you'll be using them to form the balls anyhow. Enjoy!