Here is a super easy, quick dinner idea especially when you have a craving for meatloaf but you don't have an hour to an hour and a half to wait for a meatloaf to bake.
MEATLOAF PATTIES ( this is my personal meatloaf recipe that we have tweaked to our liking... feel free to use your own meatloaf recipe or to adjust this one to your family's liking... just make sure the mixture isn't too wet --it needs to stick together as patties. If it's initially too wet, add more cracker crumbs/bread crumbs or a little flour, or if it's too dry, a splash of milk usually does the trick.
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped in food processor (about 1/2 a small onion)
1/2 red or orange bell pepper finely diced (or our preference of finely chopped in food processor) (pepper is optional but adds a wonderful flavor)
1 egg
1/2 cup cracker crumbs (about 12 crackers)**If you don't have any crackers on hand, you could easily substitute an equal amount of bread crumbs or ground up oats.
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 Tbsp. of your favorite all purpose seasoning-- our favorite is Kent Rollins Red River Ranch seasoning --https://kentrollins.com/shop-1/Original-Seasoning-p85007168
TOPPING
1/3 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large bowl, combine all of the meatloaf ingredients and mix together just like you would for a regular meatloaf.
Shape into 4-5 individual patties.
Make the topping by combining 1/3 cup ketchup and the brown sugar in a small bowl and stirring until smooth.
Heat a large cast iron skillet ( my personal favorite skillet but any skillet will work) over medium heat then add a little oil to it. When the oil is hot, carefully place each hamburger patty into the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes until nicely browned on the bottom, (don't flip prematurely-- or it will fall apart) then flip to cook the other side.
Immediately top each hamburger patty with some of the brown sugar ketchup topping while the patties cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.
When the meatloaf patties are no longer pink in the center, (or I always highly recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking meats) remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes and some veggies...
* (optional) top the patties with cheddar cheese for a cheesy flair.
(these are also easy to reheat if there are any leftovers! reheat some and put on hamburger buns for yummy meatloaf sandwiches the next day.)
Enjoy!!!
-Tiphanie