Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf Bites 🧀🥩
A fun, bite-sized twist on classic meatloaf — perfect as an appetizer, snack, or party finger food.
🧂 Ingredients (Makes ~12–16 bites)
- 1 lb ground beef (or mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 4–6 slices of cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice), cut into small cubes
- ¼ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce (for topping or dipping)
🔥 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix meatloaf base: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Form bites: Take a small portion of the meat mixture, flatten into a patty in your palm. Place a cheese cube in the center, then wrap the meat around it to form a ball. Repeat with remaining meat.
- Place on baking sheet and lightly flatten so they sit evenly.
- Optional topping: Brush lightly with ketchup or barbecue sauce.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until meat is cooked through and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Serve hot with extra dipping sauce.
🍴 Tips
- For extra flavor, mix shredded cheese into the meat as well.
- Try different cheeses like pepper jack or Swiss for variety.
- Can also be pan-fried in a skillet for a crispy exterior before baking.
If you want, I can also give a mini muffin tin version where these bites cook perfectly in individual slots and stay extra juicy.
