Juicy Mini Meatloaf Recipe: Family-Approved Comfort Classic

Crafting a delightful mini meatloaf recipe brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Miniature portions pack incredible flavor into every single bite.

Home cooks adore these compact culinary delights that solve portion control challenges.

Small individual servings mean everyone gets their perfect piece without argument.

Lean ground beef combined with simple seasonings creates a hearty meal that satisfies hunger.

Each compact bundle delivers rich, savory goodness that feels both nostalgic and modern.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those nights when quick, delicious meals matter most.

Mini Meatloaf Magic: Bite-Sized Comfort

• Personalize Your Portions: Create individual mini meatloaves that let everyone enjoy their perfect-sized serving without fighting over the main dish.
• Speed Up Weeknight Cooking: Whip up these quick mini meatloaves faster than traditional meatloaf, cutting down preparation and cooking time significantly.
• Kid-Friendly Meal Solution: Compact size makes these mini meatloaves super appealing to children, encouraging them to eat with excitement and clean their plates.
• Simple One-Bowl Preparation: Mix all ingredients in a single bowl, minimizing kitchen mess and making cleanup a breeze for busy home cooks.

Ingredients for Mini Meatloaf

• Ground Beef: A protein-rich foundation that provides the main structure and flavor of the mini meatloaves.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk, Egg: These ingredients work together to help hold the meatloaf together and create a tender, moist texture.

• Onion, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that add depth and savory notes to the mini meatloaves.
• Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce: Tangy condiments that provide a sweet and umami flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika: Seasonings that boost the overall taste and complexity of the dish.

Instructions for Perfect Mini Meatloaf

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Grab a muffin tin and give it a light spray of cooking oil or line it with parchment paper liners to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Meat Mixture

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Egg
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika

Gently combine all these ingredients, mixing just until they’re evenly incorporated.

Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaves tough.

Step 3: Shape the Mini Meatloaves

Distribute the meat mixture evenly into the muffin tin compartments.

Use your fingers to press the mixture lightly, creating cute little meatloaf shapes that fill each cup.

Step 4: Add a Tangy Topping

Dollop a small spoonful of ketchup on top of each mini meatloaf, creating a delicious glaze that will caramelize during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature hits 160°F (70°C).

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once cooked, remove the meatloaves from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes.

This short waiting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring each bite is moist and flavorful.

Serve and enjoy your individual-sized meatloaf treats!

Pro Tips for Mini Meatloaf Success

• Use a light touch when mixing ingredients to prevent dense, tough meatloaves by gently combining without overworking the ground beef.
• Swap ketchup with barbecue sauce or add grated parmesan cheese for an extra flavor dimension and enhanced richness.
• Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content to ensure moist and juicy mini meatloaves that won't crumble or become too dry.
• Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for celiac-friendly options.
• Use consistent scooping techniques like an ice cream scoop to create uniform mini meatloaves that cook evenly and look perfectly portioned.

Flavor Variations for Mini Meatloaf

• Ground Turkey Meatloaf: Replace ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lower-fat alternative that's just as tasty and protein-packed.
• Vegetarian Lentil Loaf: Swap meat with cooked lentils, adding extra vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers for a hearty plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour instead of traditional breadcrumbs, making the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwestern Meatloaf: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and chili powder to create a zesty, southwest-inspired mini meatloaf with a kick of flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Mini Meatloaf

• Classic Family Dinner: Serve these mini meatloaves with creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for a comforting, balanced meal that everyone will love.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack these protein-packed mini meatloaves with roasted vegetables and quinoa for easy, portable lunches throughout the week that stay deliciously moist.
• Brunch Twist: Slice mini meatloaves and place atop toasted sourdough with a sunny-side-up egg and fresh herbs for a hearty weekend breakfast that feels gourmet and satisfying.
• Party Appetizer Hack: Cut mini meatloaves into bite-sized pieces, secure with toothpicks, and drizzle with extra ketchup or barbecue sauce for crowd-pleasing game day or cocktail party snacks.

Storing Mini Meatloaf

• Store leftover mini meatloaves in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap each mini meatloaf individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months for best quality and taste.
• Place mini meatloaves on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway to ensure even warming and prevent drying out.

FAQs

• Why use a muffin tin for meatloaf?

The muffin tin helps create individual portions that cook evenly and quickly, ensuring each mini meatloaf is perfectly cooked and easy to serve.

• Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a different flavor profile and potentially lighter option.

• How do I know when the mini meatloaves are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160F (70C), which indicates the meat is safely cooked through and no longer pink in the center.

• Is it necessary to let the meatloaves rest after cooking?

Yes, letting the mini meatloaves rest for 5 minutes helps redistribute the juices, making them more tender and preventing them from falling apart when served.

Mini Meatloaf Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Scrumptious mini meatloaf combines ground beef, herbs, and classic comfort. Savory individual portions deliver hearty flavor perfect for family dinners when you crave a satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef

Binding and Moisture Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a muffin tin with light grease or parchment liners.
2. Thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced onion, crushed garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in a large mixing bowl, ensuring ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
3. Portion the meat mixture evenly into muffin cups, gently pressing to create compact mini meatloaves with uniform shape.
4. Brush a thin layer of ketchup across the top surface of each individual meatloaf for added flavor and moisture.
5. Transfer muffin tin to preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until internal temperature reaches 160F (70C), which guarantees safe and thoroughly cooked meat.
6. Once cooked, carefully remove meatloaves from oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices and stabilize the meat’s structure.
7. Serve warm, using a spatula to lift each mini meatloaf from the tin, ensuring they maintain their shape and remain intact.

Notes

• Swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based crumbles to create lighter, leaner protein options for health-conscious eaters.
• Add finely chopped vegetables like carrots or zucchini into the meat mixture to boost nutritional value and create extra moisture.
• For gluten-free variation, replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or rolled oats to maintain binding properties.
• Allow meat mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes before forming mini loaves to help ingredients meld together and improve overall texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg