Meatloaf Melts

I'm really happy to be bringing y'all another ground beef recipe.

One thing that makes me happy is when I get get ground beef on sale.

I may have had to buy it in a big 5 pound tube, but hey, I own a freezer.
I'll put it to good use.
Maybe next time I'll find a good sale on the leaner ground beef too.

And I also got tubes of Gwaltney Pork Sausage for a dollar.

Needless to say, I was a happy girl!

It's the little things that make me happy these days. You gotta stop and appreciate the small stuff that can make you happy. 

We won't be getting any new cars anytime soon, or a new house, or a fancy cruise.

But gosh darnit, I can get ground beef for cheap...sometimes.

And a great way to use ground beef is to make meatloaf.

I love a good meatloaf.
And if you like meatloaf, chances are you like a good meatloaf sandwich too.

That is where the inspiration for this recipe came from.
It's kinda like an old-fashioned tuna melt but with a meatloaf filling.

You got your toasted bun, meatloaf filling, and then topped off with melted cheese.

Humble. Filling. Yummy.

Ingredients:

4 sub rolls (6-inch)

1 pound lean ground beef (at least 90% lean)

1 1/4 cups crushed plain corn flakes or saltine crackers

1 egg

1/2 small onion, minced

1/2 cup milk

4 tbsp. ketchup (plus more for topping)

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

salt & pepper to taste (about a tsp. each)

For this recipe I think it's best to use a leaner meat.
If your beef has too much fat, it will drip into the bun and may cause it to be soggy.
And who wants soggy buns?

 Directions:
Preheat oven to 450F degrees.
Split rolls in half (lengthwise).
Bake rolls for about 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted and golden.
If you want your bread extra toasted and crispy, place buns on a wire rack inside the baking sheet. 

(Only 4 halves are shown here but this recipe will make 8 halves)

 In a medium bowl, begin preparing your meatloaf mixture.
Combine ground beef, crushed corn flakes (or crackers), egg, onion, milk, 4 tbsp. ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, 
garlic powder and salt and pepper.

 I had plain corn flakes on hand this day but most of the time I use saltine crackers.

 It's best just to get in there with your clean hands and combine the mixture

Lovely, toasted buns. 

Top toasted buns with meat mixture. 

Spread additional ketchup on top of meat mixture (as much or as little as you like).

Put in oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes (until meat registers 160F degrees).

 Take them out and add shredded cheese on top

I used a mixture of cheeses here; cheddar, monterey jack & colby.

 Bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.

 And serve with your favorite sides.

 You can eat this with your hands. Or a knife and fork like me.

Enjoy!

Printable Recipe Here

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Recipe modified from original by Cook's Country