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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a muffin tin with light grease or parchment liners.
- 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.
- Portion the meat mixture evenly into muffin cups, gently pressing to create compact mini meatloaves with uniform shape.
- Brush a thin layer of ketchup across the top surface of each individual meatloaf for added flavor and moisture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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