Grasping at Straws

You know how when you get to the end of your groceries, when you are too lazy to go to the grocery store, and you have to make creative dinners out of whatever you have left in the kitchen?

I try to plan our meals in advance, but since we were at a wedding last weekend (still waiting to get my camera back so I can do a post on that) we didn't go grocery shopping and with all the excitement of Joey's new job, my car being broken, etc. we haven't gone this week either. 

So last night I checked out what we had in the house and found these key ingredients:
Ground beef (frozen)
A quarter of an onion
Bisquick (we always have bisquick)

What am I going to make with that??

MEATLOAF!!

I know you are rolling your eyes, groaning, etc. But I gotta be honest- I grew up eating meatloaf and so did Joey and we actually kind of like it!

I found a recipe online that is RIGHT up my alley.  30 minute meal?? Check.  Minimal ingredients? Check. Minimal effort? Major check.

This recipe is fool-proof.  Plus it makes little mini loafs, so you can save the leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

The hardest part of this recipe was stopping at the in-laws during our 2 mile run and borrowing an egg. (And running back to the house holding an egg...)

You can check out the recipe here.

Here are the basics.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork  (did not use this)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1 egg

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 450.
2. Mix the ketchup and brown sugar in a small bowl and then save about 1/4 cup of it before dumping the rest of it into a big bowl with all of the other ingredients.
3. Mush everything around with your hands like playdough.
4. Spread it into a pan, cut it into squares and separate them with a spatula.
5. Spread the ketchup/brown sugar topping on your mini loafs.
6. Pop those suckers into the oven for 15-20 minutes.

Add mashed potatoes and voila!! A legit dinner made out of random ingredients you found in your kitchen.

 ~SG