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My classic Meatloaf Recipe made in a muffin tin for the perfect Mini Meatloaf appetizers or a cute main course no one will expect! Serve alone for a party or serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie for dinner!

Mini Meatloaf on plate with mashed potatoes and broccoli.
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We love meatloaf in this house. Everyone eats it including all my boys. While I think I have one of the best recipes for a classic meatloaf that stays moist and tastes great, sometimes meatloaf is kind of boring.

Well, the kids were requesting meatloaf and I wanted to have some fun with it.

So, I made my meatloaf into Mini Meatloaf by making them in a mini-muffin tin, instead of a loaf pan.

How to make Mini Meatloaf:

Make this meatloaf recipe just like a normal meatloaf. Essentially you just make your meatloaf recipe and then scoop the meatloaf into the muffin tin.

Top with some of the meatloaf sauce I make, and the bake. Once they are done, allow them to cool and serve on a platter for a party, or with the other items you make for dinner!

ingredients for the mini meatloaf.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Ground Beef: I recommend a lean beef like 80/20 ground beef, but not super lean like a 90/10.
  • White Onion: Finely minced.
  • Eggs
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Seasoning: I used pepper, seasoning salt, and garlic powder. You can use regular table salt as well in the same amount if you don’t have seasoning salt.
  • Ketchup: You will need to divide this. It will be used in the meatloaf and in the topping.
  • Brown Sugar
  • Mustard
closeup of the mini meatloaf on dinner plate.

Direction:

Step One – Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Step Two – In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, finely minced onion, eggs, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and ½ cup of ketchup.

ingredients to make the mini meatloaf in glass bowl for mixing.

Gently mix with hands and then add to your prepared muffin tin.

Recipe Tip

You want to make sure that you do not over mix. Over mixing your meatloaf can cause it to be more tough and dry. 

mini meatloaf in cupcake pan ready to bake.

Step Three – Mix remaining ¼ cup of ketchup with brown sugar and mustard. Add this to the top of your meatloaf.

Recipe Tip

Save some of this if you want to add more to the tops of your meatloaf after they have cooked or make more!

topping the meatloaf with the sauce before baking.

Step Four – Place in the oven to bake for 30 minutes or until your meatloaf if cooked through.

Allow to cool and settle for several minutes then serve.

baked mini meatloaf in the pan still.

How to freeze Mini Meatloaf:

Uncooked: You can mix and freeze your meatloaf before baking it. To do this prepare your mini meatloaf in the muffin tin.

Flash freeze for about an hour and then take them out and place in a large freezer bag.

When you are ready to bake it allow it to thaw in the fridge for at 24 hours and then bake according to directions.

Cooked: You can also bake the meatloaf and then freeze. You want to first allow it to cool completely then wrap each mini meatloaf in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag.

And again, when you are ready to bake it allow it to thaw in the fridge for at 24 hours and then reheat in the microwave for about 1.5 minutes per meatloaf.

Cooking times may vary depending on the type of microwave you have.

closeup of a mini meatloaf on top of the pan.

Cooking Tip:

Here is a quick tip when making a meatloaf:

  • Stick with leaner ground beef but not to lean. All the fat will come out and sit at the bottom and using a lean ground beef will mean less fat pooling at the bottom of your pan or baking sheet. But too lean could mean a dry meatloaf. We suggest an 80/20 ground beef.
  • Use you a good amount of cooking spray. You do not want your mini meatloaf muffins sticking to the pan.
  • Don’t over-mix. When you are mixing your ground beef, and the rest of the ingredients make sure to not over-mix. You want to mix it until they are all combined then form your loaf.
  • Give your meatloaf time to cool slightly before serving. This will help you remove the mini meatloaf from the pan easier.
closeup of the mini meatloaves on dinner plate with sides.

Try some of my other meatloaf recipes:

Stuffed MeatloafStuffed Meatloaf is a ooey-gooey twist on a classic meatloaf recipe. Take your favorite meatloaf and fill the middle with mozzarella cheese for this soon to be favorite dinner dish!

Chicken MeatloafChicken Meatloaf is a healthier twist on the Classic Comfort Food that meatloaf is. Ground Chicken mixed with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Worcestershire sauce and topped with a ketchup glaze makes this meatloaf one of the best you will try!

Turkey MeatloafTurkey Meatloaf is a classic recipe that is often forgotten. This meatloaf recipe is healthy made with lean ground turkey, full of flavor and super moist! This will become a favorite in your house for sure!

eating the mini meatloaf with a fork.

If you tried any of my recipes, I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH

Mini Meatloaf
5 from 11 votes

Mini Meatloaf

My classic Meatloaf Recipe made in a muffin tin for the perfect Mini Meatloaf appetizers or a cute main course no one will expect! Serve alone for a party or serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie for dinner!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Servings: 14 mini meatloafs
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Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds Ground beef, (lean)
  • 1 small White onion, (finely minced)
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 cup Bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Seasoning salt
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ½ +1/4 cup Ketchup, (divided)
  • ¼ cup Brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Mustard

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, finely minced onion, eggs, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and ½ cup of ketchup. Gently mix with hands and then add to your prepared muffin tin.
  • Mix remaining ¼ cup of ketchup with brown sugar and mustard. Add this to the top of your meatloaf. 
  • Place in the oven to bake for 30 minutes or until your meatloaf if cooked through. Allow to cool and settle for several minutes then serve.

Video

Notes

Tip: Save some of this if you want to add more to the tops of your meatloaf after they have cooked or make more!

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatloaf | Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Jennie

I'm Jennie!ย I'm a busy mom of three and I love cooking and sharing easy recipes. From slow cooker meals to casseroles all my recipes are simple to make and ones the entire family will love.

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Recipe Rating




22 Comments

  1. hi jennie, fabulous recipe!
    i grate the onions instead of chopping, keeps the mini meatloafs really moist.
    this recipe is perfect for make ahead camping comfort food!

  2. Dear Jennie

    I made your mini meatloaf recipe today. When I began looking for a mini meatloaf recipe on line, there were several, but none had a 5 star rating, just yours. Of course, I picked yours to try. May I say, it truly does deserve a 5 star!

    Itโ€™s so simple, using everyday ingredients, quick and best of all, my Husband absolutely loved it.

    Thank you so much for sharing and congrats on such a great recipe. ๐Ÿ˜Œ

    1. Wow, thank you so much Maria! That means a lot to me when people come back to leave a comment. I am so glad you liked the recipe.