These meat loaves are far easier to make than stuffed cabbage rolls and are kind to the budget, the waistline, and your blood sugar. The meat loaves also are really good! They are a little tangy, a little sweet, and loaded with vegetables--in the form of a bag of cole slaw mix with carrots. The cole slaw mix streamlines the cooking process and helps you get the meat loaves in the oven or air fryer quickly. Plus, you don't need to stuff cabbage leaves, only layer the meat and cabbage mixture in loaf pans. If you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy," the meat loaves are great. They are loaded with protein and fiber and are low in added sugar thanks to a low-sugar barbecue sauce (see https://www.thenfeedthem.com/post/how-to-make-boneless-pork-ribs-in-your-air-fryer-with-low-sugar-barbecue-sauce-diabetic-friendly-n for how to make a low sugar version of the sauce). If you prefer, you can use a commercial "no sugar added" barbecue sauce, but the commercial sauce will be more expensive (and probably include some weird artificial sweeteners). We like the meat loaves with sweet potatoes and a salad or green vegetable. Leftovers are great reheated in the microwave. Enjoy!
Easy Cabbage-Stuffed Meat Loaves (Diabetic Friendly) -- Makes 2 Meat Loaves
Meat Layer
1 small stalk of celery, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
16 ounces of lean ground beef (93 percent)
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
1 large egg
1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese
2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of low-sugar barbecue sauce
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 cup of whole-wheat bread crumbs (about half a whole-wheat English muffin)
14-15 ounce can of diced tomatoes (divided--save some for the filling and topping)
Cabbage Filling
3 cups of cole slaw mix with carrots
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon of dried
1/3 can of diced canned tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of minced dried parsley
2 tablespoons of raisins
Combine the cole slaw mix and onion together in a large microwave-save bowl, add a tablespoon of water, and microwave them on high for about five minutes or until they soften. Add the dill, 1/3 can of the diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, and raisins and mix everything together well.
Topping
2 tablespoons of low-sugar barbecue sauce
1/3 can of diced tomatoes
Fresh parsley (optional)
Mix the barbecue sauce and diced tomatoes together and pour over the top of the meat loaves. Use the fresh parsley to garnish the cooked meat loaves.
Assembly
Line two medium-size loaf pans (I use 8 x 4-inch pans) with aluminum foil and spritz the foil with non-stick cooking spray. Into each pan, press 1/4 of the meat. Top the meat in each pan with 1/2 of the cabbage mixture. Top the cabbage mixture in each pan with half of the remaining meat mixture. Pour half of the sauce over the top of the meat in each pan.
Air Fryer: Air fry the meat loaves at 320 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers at least 165 degrees and the top of the meat loaf is a crusty brown.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake the meat loaves for 50-60 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers at least 165 degrees and the top of the meat loaf is a crusty brown.
Let the meat loaves cool in their pans for 5-10 minutes before using the foil to remove them. Garnish the cooked meat loaves with fresh parsley, if you'd like.
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