Italian Mini Meatloaves w/ Mac n' 3 Cheeses

[HomeMakin94]

MEAT LOAVES

1 1/3 lbs ground sirloin

1 large egg, beaten

2/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 small green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 small onion, finely chopped

4 gloves garlic, minced

3 Tbsp. tomato paste

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 Tbsp. olive oil

MAC & CHEESE

1 lb. cavatappi or small shell pasta

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 tsp. coarse black pepper

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme

2 - 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Put a large pot of water on to boil.  Preheat oven to 425 F.

Place meat in a bowl.  Make a well in meat.  Fill well with egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, bell pepper, onion, garlic, tomato paste, salt, and pepper.  Mix meat and breading and form 4 individual oval meat loaves, about 1-inch thick.  Coat loaves with 2 Tbsp. olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet.  Roast 18 - 20 minutes.

When done, remove meat and switch oven heat to broiler.

When the pasta water boils, add salt then pasta.  Cook until slightly undercooked - pasta will continue to cook when combined with cheese sauce.

Melt butter in a saucepan and stir in flour.  Whisk in milk.  Bring to a bubble.  Cook to thicken milk, 2 to 3 minutes.  Add cheddar, Asiago, Parmesan, and black pepper.  Stir to melt cheeses.  Drain pasta and combine with cheese sauce and transfer to a baking dish or casserole.  Place bread crumbs in a bowl, add olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.  Stir to combine and top the pasta and cheese.  Place under broiler to brown bread crumbs.  Serve mac and cheese alongside meat loaves.