Meatloaf, Salisbury Steak, and Italian Meatballs
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This is a Basic Recipe that you can easily throw together after your grocery shopping. It creates 3 delicious meals, Meat Loaf, Salisbury Steak, and Italian Meat Balls. This recipe is set for a large amount of meat, (I purchase mine in bulk at Sam's Club or Cosco). But, a couple of hours of preparation can set you up with meals to help get you through the busy days without having to settle for take out. The recipe offers variety, ease of use, and an economic option for your meal preparation. I promise, this will not take you more than an hour or two. I suggest you prepare the meatballs first, and allow them to brown while you prepare the rest of the "ready to go" meals. If you do not like the feeling of meat on your hands, mix as much of the ingredients as you can on a Kithchen-Aid mixer, (heavy duty). Use the dough hook, and keep the settings on low. When that is complete, turn eveything over to a very large bowl, and complete the mixing with a heavy wodden spoon. Remember to date your bags and label them with your meals when you prepare them for freezing, they can look alike when frozen. I do use this method a lot, I love it, I hope you will too. INGREDIENTS 5 pounds ground beef 1 pound bag seasoned bread crumbs 1 can evaporated milk 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon salt 2 teaspoons pepper 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 6 eggs Soak bread crumbs in milk, add eggs and seasonings, mix lightly, add ground beef, mix until well combined. divide into thirds. MINI-MEATLOAVES 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce 1/2 cup ketchup 1 small onion, chopped fine 2 celery stalks, chopped fine 1 large carrot, grated Combine all ingredients with 1/3 of the meat mixture, form into small meat loaves. Use small loaf pans or shape to about the size of your hand. Place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, freeze for about 1 hour. Remove and place in freezer bags, remove as needed for meals. TO COOK  - Place mini meat loaves in a 9 X 13 pan, (spray pan with non-stick spray first). Add 1/3 cup water to the bottom of the pan and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove foil, top mini meatloves with ketchup, bake 10 more minutes. If there is too much juice on bottom of pan, drain before baking for the last 10 minutes. Serve with favorite side dish. SALISBURY STEAK 1 envelope Brown Gravy Mix 1 small onion, chopped fine 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce Combine all ingredients with 1/3 of the meat mixture. Form into patties, place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, freeze for about 1 hour. Remove and place in freezer bags, remove as needed for meals. 1 can sliced mushrooms or use fresh sliced 1 jar Mushroom Gravy Mix TO COOK  - Pan fry patties in a non stick pan or one sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Cook over medium heat, allow light browning on both sides. Lower heat, add sliced mushrooms with juice and mushroom gravy. Cover, cook on low for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Juices should run clear when a fork is pressed into the center. If they are still pink, cook another 10 minutes on low to medium-low heat. ITALIAN MEATBALLS 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine Combine all ingredients with 1/3 of meat mixture, form into walnut size meatballs 1 cup un-seasoned bread crumbs Roll meatballs in bread crumbs. Brown in olive oil over medium high heat, avoid burning, (it is not necessary to cook the meatballs all the way through at this time, just a nice browning is all that is necessary.) Remove to a plate covered in paper towels to drain off excess oil. Avoid over crowding the pan when frying the meatballs. place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, freeze for about 1 hour. Remove and place in freezer bags, remove as needed for meals. 1 jar Marinara sauce or your favorite spaghetti sauce Buns, if making subs TO COOK  - Place meatballs into a large frying pan, cover with marinara sauce, cook over medium heat (covered) for about 20 minutes. (This finishes the cooking process and allows the sauce to flavor the meatballs. Serve over pasta or in buns for meat ball subs, cover with mozarella cheese, place under broiler or in oven until cheese melts. Serve hot.