Recipe: Meat Loaves Italianos (oven or microwave)

MEAT LOAVES ITALIANOS

3/4 cup Quaker Oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce, divided use
2 1/2 oz canned sliced ripe olives, drained
1 egg (optional)
1 tbsp instant minced onion
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
1 lb lean ground beef
1/8 tsp garlic powder
2 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine oats, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup olives, egg, 1 teaspoon onion, Italian seasoning and salt. Add ground beef, mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape to form four 4x2-inch loaves; place in 8-inch square glass baking dish or 9-inch glass pie plate.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until meat is done; drain.

Combine remaining tomato sauce, olives, onion and garlic powder; cook over low heat 3 to 5 minutes or until hot. Spoon sauce over meat loaves; sprinkle with cheese.

Bake 2 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Prepare meat mixture and shape into loaves as directed above. Place in 8-inch square glass baking dish or 9-inch glass pie plate. Cover with wax paper. Microwave on HIGH 5 to 7 minutes or until no longer pink, rotating dish once. Drain.

In a 2-cup glass measuring cup combine remaining tomato sauce, olives, onion and garlic powder. Microwave at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes or until hot.

Spoon over meat loaves; sprinkle with cheese. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until cheese is melted.

Servings: 4
Source: The Quaker Oats Company