Success® Rice»Recipes»Mini Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf Bites

Mini Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf Bites

Loaded with kid-friendly flavors, these mini meatloaf muffins are also infused with pureed spinach for a hidden nutritious vegetable.

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Mini Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf Bites

Cooking time
PREP TIME 15 mins
Cooking time
COOK TIME 25 mins
Servings
SERVES 4
Ready in
TOTAL TIME 35 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 bag Success® White Rice
  • 2 cups baby spinach, packed
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce, divided
  • 12 oz lean ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tbsp chopped basil

Instructions

  • Eating meatloaf has never been so fun. Our Mini Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf Bites made with Success® White Rice are even infused with pureed spinach to help get your veggies in for the day. 

    Step 1

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. In blender or food processor, blend together spinach, pesto, water, and 1/4 cup tomato sauce, until pureed.

    Step 2

  • Mix together ground chicken, half of the spinach mixture, and breadcrumbs until well combined. Divide into 12 portions and press each into cup of greased non-stick mini muffin pan. Spoon each “muffin” with 1 tbsp of tomato sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella.

    Step 3

  • Bake muffins for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted, meat is cooked through and reaches internal temperature of 165°F.

    Step 4

  • Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package directions. Heat remaining spinach mixture in small saucepan set over medium heat; bring to a boil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Stir together rice and spinach tomato sauce.

     Step 5

  • Serve tomato rice with muffins and garnish with chopped basil.

    Recipe Tip

    Substitute ground chicken with turkey if preferred.

Basil Pesto 

Making homemade pesto is a fantastic way to use fresh basil. Not only can it  be whipped up in less than 15 minutes, but it is also delicious with a variety of dishes.You´ll just need basil leaves, parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and black pepper.  

The first step for making pesto is to place the basil leaves and pine nuts into a food processor bowl and pulse several times.

For the next step, add garlic and Parmesan cheese and pulse several more times.With a rubber spatula, scrape the sides of the food processor.

Next, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream, while the food processor is running. This will help  emulsify your sauce and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally, stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor to ensure it’s a uniform mixture.

 Lastly, sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. 

 Try some of that pesto in other recipes like: Aromatic Pesto Rice or Kale Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms.  

Homemade Italian-Style Breadcrumbs

Did you know that you can make your own Italian breadcrumbs with just 3 simple ingredients? If you have plain breadcrumbs, salt and Italian Seasoning then you are going places.  You should use immediately, and if you have some leftover then store in an airtight jar or container.   If you do not have Italian seasoning you can make your own. Just mix together dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.  Make a double-batch and sprinkle on your Favorite Rice Casseroles !

More Meatloaf Meals for Meat-Lovers

If you enjoy meatloaf recipes you will love our Rice and Veggie Meatloaf as well as our Successful Meatloaf.

 

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