MINI ITALIAN MEAT LOAVES

1 1/2 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef*
1/2 cup ProgressoŽ Italian-style dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup pepperoni-flavored pizza sauce (from 14-oz jar)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 egg
1/4 cup shredded Italian-style six-cheese blend or mozzarella cheese (1 oz)
Additional pizza sauce, heated, if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl, mix all ingredients except cheese and additional pizza sauce. Press beef mixture into 12 regular-size muffin cups (cups will be very full). Place muffin pan on cookie sheet in oven to catch any spillover.

Bake about 30 minutes or until loaves are no longer pink in center and meat thermometer inserted in center of loaves in middle of muffin pan reads 160 degrees F. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cheese over each loaf.

Bake into 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Immediately remove from cups. Serve with pizza sauce.

*Extra-lean ground beef is recommended for this recipe to keep shrinkage to o minimum and limit the fat that accumulates during baking.

Makes 6 servings (2 loaves each)
Source: Recipe booklet: Simple Winter Meals, Betty Crocker Recipe Magazine, January 2006, #228