Have a Mini Meatloaf or two! These are so quick and easy to make, plus kids love them. No one can object to flavorful tender meatloaf when it’s made in the shape of a muffin!
This Mini Meatloaf recipe is a great dinner that the whole family will love! These cook quickly, have so much flavor, and aren’t they just cute?! Serve them up with some Roasted Green Beans, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Easy Twice Baked Potatoes, or Two Potato Scallop.
Mini Meatloaf
This Mini Meatloaf recipe is perfect for when you’re craving something hearty but don’t want to wait an hour for dinner to cook. By making it in a muffin tin, the meat cooks faster and kids just seem to like muffins better than loafs. I’m thinking you will too!
How to make Meatloaf:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease the sides of 20 muffin tin wells.
- Mix together all the ingredients. This is easiest to do with your hands.
- Place 1/4 cup meat into each muffin well. Using a large trigger ice cream scoop works really well for portioning the meat.
- Press the meat mixture down flat and then drizzle with extra ketchup if desired.
- Bake for 20-23 minutes until thermometer reads 160 degrees F. (per FDA food safety guidelines)
- Let the mini loafs sit for a few minutes and then use a fork to pop them out.
What kind of meat is used in meatloaf?
Since the meatloaf is cooked in a pan (muffin tin or loaf pan) and the fat drippings cannot be drained, it’s important to use a LEAN ground meat. I prefer ground beef but ground turkey works too. Just make sure that it is at least 92% lean, preferably 96%.
Vegetables in mini meatloaf:
The onions and bell pepper in the meat loaf help give it flavor. Since Mini Meatloaf doesn’t take as long to cook, it’s important to cut the vegetables pretty fine so they are done and tender when the meat is done cooking.
I like the taste of red bell peppers but if you prefer, use a green one instead. Also, if you don’t have onions on hand, 1 1/2 tablespoons dried minced onions or 1 teaspoon onion powder can be used instead.
What kind of bread crumbs should I use?
You can really use any type- store bought or homemade. I prefer to use Panko bread crumbs because they help create a lighter (less dense) texture.
If you don’t have bread crumbs, crushed crackers will work too.
Meal Prep Meatloaf
Pack up your left over Meatloaf Muffins with a side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes and some greens for a delicious, filling, and balanced read-to-go meal. I used these meal prep containers.
LOOKING FOR MORE GROUND BEEF RECIPES? CHECK OUT THESE:
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meat Sauce is loaded with meat and is made so flavorful and tender by cooking it low and slow.
- To get a filling meal on the table quick, try Instant Pot Sloppy Joes!
- Easy Beef, Spinach, and Cheese Manicotti is made easy yet is great for serving to dinner guests.
- Southwest Cornbread Sloppy Joes are a unique, delicious, and easy way to use up that ground beef.
- Got leftover mashed potatoes? Make this Easy Skillet Shepherd’s Pie!
- Take your chili to a new level with this Texas Chili recipe!
- Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet– It’s easy. It’s cheesy!
- Ground Hawaiian Beef is made with lean ground beef, bell peppers, onion, and pineapple in a sweet and savory sauce, made in under 30 minutes!
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THESE MEATLOAF MUFFINS:
- Muffin/Cupcake Tin– Every kitchen needs a muffin tin. This is my favorite. I use it for cupcakes, muffins, Mini Frittatas….
- Cutting Board– I love having various sizes of cutting boards and these are awesome because they won’t slip and slide around on the counter.
- Knife Set– I got this when I got married almost 8 years ago. I use them multiple times a day and they’re still going strong!
- Stainless Steel Measuring Cups– I love these measuring cups! They’re sturdy, pretty and it has every size measuring cup and spoon! I can’t stand sets that don’t come with 2/3 and 3/4 cups.
Mini Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds extra lean ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup onion, finely diced
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon worchestershire sauce
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease the sides of 20 muffin tin wells.
- Mix together all the ingredients. This is easiest to do with your hands.
- Place 1/4 cup meat into each muffin well. Using a large trigger ice cream scoop works really well for portioning the meat.
- Press the meat mixture down flat and then drizzle with extra ketchup if desired.
- Bake for 20-23 minutes until thermometer reads 160 degrees F.
- Let the mini loafs sit for a few minutes and then use a fork to pop them out.
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