Have you ever made meatloaf, and found yourself with enough left overs to last the whole week? If you’re like me, I do not enjoy eating the same meal more than twice in a row, once for dinner, then lunch the next day. I discovered that a little meatloaf can go a long way, and that does not mean by sprouting legs from sitting too long in the fridge.
The following is a list of things that can be done so your family will not even recognize the meat loaf from the night before. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it should give you a good start, and may spark your own creativity.
1. Whenever you make too much of something, one option is always to divide into individual portion sizes, date, label, and freeze. You can easily grab it out for a quick meal.
2. Easy Chili: Crumble up your leftover meat loaf into a pot. Add a can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained. Add a couple cans of tomato sauce, or your choice of ground or chopped tomatoes with juice (if your tomato base is runny, add a tablespoon of cornmeal). Add a tablespoon of chili powder, half a tablespoon of seasoned salt, and half a tablespoon of brown sugar. Simmer for ½ hour and serve with cheese and sour cream if desired.
3. Shepherd’s Pie: Crumble the leftover meat loaf. Stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup and half a can of water or milk. Spread into bottom of casserole dish. Add a layer of your favorite vegetable: if canned just drain and add, if fresh or frozen, cook and drain then add. Top with mashed potatoes and cook on 350 for half an hour.
4. Tater tot casserole: Prepare meat and vegetables like you would for shepherd’s pie. On top of the vegetables, put a layer of chopped Velveeta or sliced American cheese. Top with tater tots and cook at 400 for 20-25 min.
5. Chip dip: Mix meat loaf with salsa and Velveeta, or similar cheese. Microwave until cheese is melted. Mix well and serve with tortilla chips.
6. Sloppy Joes: Put meat loaf into a frying pan with ketchup, mustard and barbeque sauce. Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Serve with pickles on buns.
7. Patty Melts: Slice the meat loaf into medium slices (about burger thickness). On a frying pan or griddle, place a piece of buttered bread, butter side down. Place the meat loaf slice on the bread with a slice of cheese on it. Toast another piece of bread on the griddle for the top. Sauté onion rings and place on the meat loaf and cheese combination. Top with the other piece of bread and serve with desired condiments.
8. Taco Salad: Chop meat loaf in a frying pan and cook on medium heat. Add a package of taco seasoning and amount of water indicated on the package. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and tomatoes.
9. Spaghetti Sauce: Add crumbled meat loaf to a sauce pan. Add two cans of tomato sauce, ½ tablespoon Italian Seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Serve with your favorite cooked noodles.
10. Biscuits and gravy: Crumble meat loaf into a sauce pan and set to medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and stir until coated. Add 2 cups of milk and stir until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve over biscuits.