Quick & Cozy Mini Meatloaf Recipe: A Family Favorite

Crafting a delightful mini meatloaf brings comfort and joy to your dinner table.

Succulent portions of savory goodness await your culinary adventure.

Every bite promises a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Compact and adorable, these individual servings solve portion control challenges effortlessly.

Family members will appreciate the personalized approach to a classic dish.

Seasonings and herbs dance together, creating a mouthwatering experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Let’s transform your kitchen into a haven of deliciousness with this irresistible recipe.

Mini Meatloaf: Easy Portions, Big Comfort

• Customize Portion Control: Create perfectly sized individual meatloaves that let everyone enjoy their own perfectly portioned serving without waste or overeating.
• Speed Demon Dinner: Prepare these mini meatloaves in just 35 minutes total, making it an ideal weeknight meal for busy families craving quick, delicious comfort food.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Compact, handheld meatloaves with a sweet and tangy glaze appeal to children's preferences, transforming a classic dish into an exciting meal that keeps everyone happy.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Craft a hearty dinner using common pantry staples and basic ground beef, requiring minimal cooking skills and ensuring a stress-free cooking experience for home chefs of all levels.

Mini Meatloaf Ingredient Combo

• Ground Beef: Hearty core of the meatloaf, rich in flavor and provides main protein content. Lean ground beef works best for a less greasy result.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk, Egg: Help hold the meatloaf together and create a tender texture. Breadcrumbs absorb moisture and prevent dryness. Fresh breadcrumbs offer better flavor than store-bought.

• Onion, Garlic Powder, Worcestershire Sauce, Ketchup: Add depth and complexity to the meat's flavor. Fresh onion provides natural sweetness and aromatic profile. Worcestershire sauce brings umami and tangy notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight other flavors. Freshly ground black pepper offers more intense taste.

• Ketchup, Brown Sugar, Mustard: Create a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes during cooking. Brown sugar adds rich sweetness, while mustard provides subtle sharpness. Combine for a classic meatloaf finish.

Mini Meatloaf Cooking Directions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Grab a muffin tin and either coat it with cooking spray or line with parchment paper liners.

Set the oven to warm up at 375°F.

Step 2: Mix Meat Blend

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Diced onion
• Egg
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently blend everything until ingredients are just incorporated.

Avoid overmixing to keep the meat tender.

Step 3: Shape Mini Meatloaves

Portion the meat mixture evenly into each muffin tin cavity.

Press down softly to create compact mini loaves that will hold their shape during cooking.

Step 4: Craft Tangy Topping

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Mustard

Spread this zesty mixture generously over each mini meatloaf.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven.

Cook for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring meat is fully cooked.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Allow mini meatloaves to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven.

This helps them set and makes serving easier.

Plate and enjoy your personalized mini meatloaves!

Mini Meatloaves With Smart Portioning Tips

• Gently mix ingredients to keep meatloaves tender and juicy, avoiding tough, dense texture.
• Swap ketchup mixture with barbecue sauce, salsa, or honey mustard for exciting flavor variations.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatloaves reach safe 160°F, guaranteeing fully cooked meat.
• Prepare meatloaf mixture in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready for quick weeknight meals.
• Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for dietary needs.

Warm Mini Meatloaf Portions With Ease

• Store leftover mini meatloaves in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual meatloaves tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Warm refrigerated meatloaves at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Heat individual meatloaves on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stopping halfway to rotate. Add a splash of broth to maintain moisture and prevent toughness.

Yummy Matches for Mini Meatloaf

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, savory flavors of the mini meatloaves, cutting through the meat's richness with its tannic structure.
• Create Creamy Mashed Potato Side: Whip up smooth, buttery mashed potatoes seasoned with roasted garlic and chives, providing a perfect creamy counterpoint to the hearty meatloaves.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Toss together a fresh mixed greens salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to add brightness and lightness, balancing the meat's dense texture.
• Select Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a colorful mix of roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips, seasoned with herbs, to add nutritional variety and complementary caramelized flavors.

Mini Meatloaves with Custom Topping Choices

• Vegetarian Mini Loaves: Replace ground beef with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based crumbles for a meatless option that's packed with protein and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Mini Meatloaves: Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Mini Meatloaves: Use crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs and replace ketchup with sugar-free tomato sauce to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean-Style Mini Meatloaves: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped spinach, and dried herbs like oregano for a Greek-inspired variation with rich, tangy notes.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative. Just ensure it’s at 160°F internal temperature for food safety.

• How can I make these mini meatloaves gluten-free?

Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to maintain the binding and texture.

• What if I don't have Worcestershire sauce?

You can substitute with soy sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar for a similar umami flavor profile.

• Is there a way to make these mini meatloaves healthier?

Use lean ground meat, reduce ketchup in the topping, and add extra vegetables like grated zucchini or carrots to increase nutrition.

Mini Meatloaf Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent mini meatloaf promises a delightful twist on classic comfort food with perfectly portioned individual servings. Packed with savory flavors and easy to prepare, these personal-sized meatloaves will satisfy your craving for a hearty, home-cooked meal.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Wet Ingredients and Aromatics:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Topping:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon mustard

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and preparing a muffin tin with non-stick spray or parchment cup liners.
2. Create a flavor-packed meat mixture by thoroughly blending ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, whisked egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until ingredients are just incorporated.
3. Carefully portion the meat mixture into muffin cups, gently compressing each to ensure uniform shape and consistent cooking.
4. Craft a tangy glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a separate bowl.
5. Generously coat the top of each mini meatloaf with the prepared sweet-tangy glaze, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the internal temperature reaches a safe 160°F.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the mini meatloaves to rest for 5 minutes, which helps stabilize their structure and intensify flavors before serving.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by mixing ground beef with ground pork or turkey for varied flavor and texture profiles.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats to transform this recipe into a celiac-friendly dish without compromising taste.
• For lighter options, swap regular ground beef with lean ground meat and reduce added sauces to cut down on calories.
• Add finely grated vegetables like carrots or zucchini into the meat mixture to increase nutritional value and moisture without altering the core recipe significantly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg