Mediterranean meatloaf sliders with yogurt sauce

Mediterranean meatloaf sliders with mint yogurt sauce: comfort food meatloaf gets a lean, modern makeover for an easy weeknight dinner.

Note: Updated May 2016

Putting a healthy, delicious dinner on the table quickly night after night is a challenge for all of us – really, all of us: Food bloggers are no exception. While I can often solve the weeknight dinner dilemma with quick-and-easy dishes like rice bowls, soups or salads, I'm still pretty old-school about wanting to eat some protein for dinner. And by protein, I really mean meat. And by meat, I really mean beef (I have been known to refer to myself as The Meatasaurus).

However, this presents me with a dilemma because one of my favorite beef dinners is meatloaf – and meatloaf is not a quick-cooking, get-it-on-the-table-fast kind of meal. And yet I do so love my meatloaf recipe, which is the one I grew up on, torn by my mother from the pages of some 1970s magazine and then customized over the years.

So what's a girl to do when she wants her meatloaf but she also wants it fast?

One word: sliders. Yep, because, when it comes right down to it, what is meatloaf, really, but a big burger without the bun?!

By portioning the meatloaf recipe into eight sliders and putting them under the broiler rather than baking or frying them, I was able to reduce the cooking time from 50 minutes to eight. You heard right – only eight minutes: Talk about quick and easy! (And if you're a grilling enthusiast, these sliders can add some fun Mediterranean flair to a backyard BBQ.)

Plus, as part of this transformation from classic 1970s meatloaf into modern 21st-century sliders, I added some spicy Mediterranean flavor, with cumin, cinnamon and a little red pepper. I opted for a kid-friendly level of spiciness, so feel free to add a bit more pepper to turn up the heat. Just be sure not to skip the accompanying cool yogurt-mint sauce, which is a great complement to the warm spices.

Are you a meatloaf fan, too? Leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.

Mediterranean Meatloaf Sliders with Yogurt-Mint Sauce

Ingredients:
1 5-6 ounce container plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint
1 egg
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 lb. lean ground beef
Whole wheat slider buns
Lettuce or spinach leaves

Directions:
Preheat broiler.

In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice and mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.

In a large bowl, lightly beat the egg. Add the next 10 ingredients (onion through beef) and blend well – using your hands is the best way to do this. Divide the beef mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into small patties. Using your thumb, make an indentation in the middle of each patty so they don't plump up while cooking. Place the patties on a baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray. Broil 6-8 inches from the element for 4 minutes per side.

Serve patties on whole wheat slider buns, topped with yogurt-mint sauce and lettuce.

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