Ohhh yes 🍖🧁 Mini Meatloaf Muffins—all the comfort of classic meatloaf in perfectly portioned, fun little muffins. They’re great for meal prep, kids’ lunches, or dinner with a side of mashed potatoes. Here’s a step-by-step recipe:
🍖 Mini Meatloaf Muffins
Ingredients (makes 12 muffins)
Meatloaf
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or mix beef & pork for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs or parsley
Topping
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 12-cup muffin tin lightly with oil or non-stick spray.
2️⃣ Prepare meat mixture
- In a large bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk; let sit 5 minutes to soak.
- Add ground meat, onion, garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix; it keeps meatloaf tender).
3️⃣ Fill muffin tin
- Divide meat mixture evenly into 12 muffin cups, pressing lightly to shape.
4️⃣ Prepare topping
- Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a small bowl.
- Spoon a small amount over each mini meatloaf.
5️⃣ Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until meat is fully cooked (internal temp 160°F / 71°C) and topping is caramelized.
6️⃣ Serve
- Let rest 5 minutes before removing from muffin tin.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a side salad.
Pro Tips
- Juicier meatloaf: add 1–2 tbsp olive oil or finely grated carrot for extra moisture.
- Flavor boost: mix in finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Make-ahead: assemble in muffin tin, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bake when ready.
- Freezing: bake fully, cool, and freeze in airtight containers; reheat in oven or microwave.
🔥 Variations
- 🧀 Cheesy Meatloaf Muffins: add shredded cheddar or mozzarella in the center
- 🌶️ Spicy Meatloaf Muffins: add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce
- 🥩 Turkey or Chicken: substitute ground turkey or chicken for lighter muffins
- 🍯 Sweet & Tangy: use BBQ sauce instead of ketchup-brown sugar topping
I can also give a “super-moist, cheesy stuffed mini meatloaf muffins” recipe that oozes cheese when you bite into it—basically comfort food perfection 😏.
Do you want me to do that?
