Meat Loaf Muffins

Sit down to a meat loaf in a half hour with this recipe. Serve with steamed green beans and roasted potato wedges for an at-home version of a blue-plate special.

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup ketchup, divided
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)
1 cup finely crushed fat-free saltine crackers (about 20)
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat
Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic
Sauté 2 minutes.
Cool.

Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.

Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray

Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°

Let stand for 5 minutes

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 2 "muffins")

(from cooking light)