This easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe yields all the juicy, beefy flavor of traditional meatloaf but in bite-size form. Mini meatloaves glazed with umami-flavored sauce are the perfect appetizer or dinner entree.
Once you use this mini meatloaf recipe, it is bound to become a family favorite. Kids and adults alike love this fun twist on a classic dinner option. You can add individual meat loaves to rolls and make meatloaf subs, toss them in your children's lunchbox, or stick toothpicks in them to serve as party appetizers.
Mini meatloaf also has a shorter cooking time than traditional meatloaf. Looking for more ground beef recipes? Check out my Homemade Gyro Meat recipe and Smothered Hamburger Steaks.
Jump to:
- Ingredients for Mini Meatloaf Recipe
- How to Make Mini Meatloaf
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment for Mini Meatloaf Recipe
- Storage
- Top Tip for the Best Mini Meatloaf Recipe
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- 📖 Recipe
- Food safety for Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients for Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Initially, this ingredient list looks similar to other mini meatloaf recipes but there's one standout: salsa. It is the key ingredient to perfectly moist meatloaf so I always include it.
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Green bell pepper
- Mild salsa
- Worcestershire sauce
- Egg
- Bread crumbs
Seasoning
- All purpose seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Onion soup mix
Glaze for the Mini Meatloafs
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Mini Meatloaf
Before beginning this mini meatloaf recipe, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
Add ground beef, diced onion and bell pepper, salsa, Worcestershire sauce, egg, and bread crumbs to a large bowl. Then add all of the seasonings into the bowl.
Use gloved hands to combine everything. Try not to overwork the meat mixture. Conitunously turn just until everything is thoroughly combined into the meat.
Form the meat mixture into 12 equal parts and use your hands to form them into balls.
Place the meatballs into the pre-greased muffin tin.
Press the meatballs down into each muffin cup so they are flat, as they will shrink while cooking.
Lightly tint the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Cook for 45 minutes.
While the mini loaves are cooking, prepare the glaze by thoroughly combining the ketchup, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder in a medium size bowl.
Remove the muffin tin from the oven and drain the grease by very carefully pouring it out (careful not to let the meatloaf fall out), or use a turkey baster to remove the excess grease. Pour out as much as possible.
Spoon and spread the glaze over the top of each mini meatloaf, ensuring each is covered completely. Place the muffin tray back in the oven, uncovered.
Then cook for an additional 20 minutes.
After removing the mini meatloaf from the oven, leave it untouched for at least 10 minutes. A lot of the grease will continue to seep out. Drain the grease again by gently pouring it out, or using a turkey baster. Finally, enjoy this mini meatloaf recipe!
Hint: Mini meatloaf retains moisture much easier than regular meatloaf.
Substitutions
- Egg - Instead of using egg as a binding ingredient, try mayo.
- Breadcrumbs - I use plain bread crumbs but you can use panko or crushed Ritz crackers if you prefer.
- Ground beef - For depth of flavor, you can use a mix of ground beef and ground pork. Alternatively, save calories by using lean ground beef. Or make this a mini turkey meatloaf recipe by swapping the ground beef for ground turkey. Ground chicken is another option with less fat.
- Glaze - Substitute the brown sugar and ketchup with BBQ sauce.
Variations
- Air fryer mini meatloaf recipe - Season and form the meatloaf balls then air fry them at 380°F for about 10 minutes. Glaze them and add them back to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes.
- Italian mini meatloaf - Swap the spices for Italian seasoning, finely chopped basil, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Mini cheesy meatloaf recipe - Add a cubed cheese of your choice (i.e., sharp cheddar or mozzarella) to the center of each mini meatloaf and proceed to bake as outlined in the instructions.
Equipment for Mini Meatloaf Recipe
The easiest way to make this mini meatloaf recipe is with a muffin pan. It helps you correctly portion each serving. You can use a sheet pan or baking sheet if that's all you have.
Use a large bowl and disposable kitchen gloves for mixing the ingredients. And while it's not a necessity, a turkey baster is a great way to dispose of excess grease.
Storage
Store the meatloaf in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze, form the mini meatloaves and place them in the muffin tin. Flash freeze them for 1 hour then transfer them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge and proceed to cook them according to the instructions.
Top Tip for the Best Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Do not overwork the meatloaf mixture or the final result will be dry and tough. Instead, mix only until the ingredients are combined.
FAQ
Do you cook meatloaf covered or not covered?
Initially, cover the meatloaf to prevent it from cooking too quickly and drying out. Once you apply the glaze, cooking meatloaf uncovered helps it brown and develop a delicious crust for more flavor.
What is the secret to moist meatloaf?
The key to moist meatloaf is using moisture-rich ingredients. Salsa is an essential ingredient in my meatloaf but other recipes use finely chopped and sauteed veggies.
What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?
Eggs and bread crumbs act as binding ingredients in meatloaf. They help keep the meat mixture together and maintain their structure as they bake.
What's the difference between mini meatloaf and meatballs?
This mini meatloaf recipe is very similar to meatballs with only one major difference: the glaze. In the last 15 minutes (or so) of cooking, meatloaf is topped with a glaze that caramelizes once baked.
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs | Great for Meal Prep!
- Super Delicious Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
- Easy Homemade Swedish Meatballs
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mini Meatloaf Recipe:
- Creamy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Sweet Cast Iron Cornbread Recipe
- Tried and True Southern Collard Greens Recipe
- The Best Southern Macaroni and Cheese
📖 Recipe
Yield: 12 mini meatloaves
Super Delicious Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
This easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe yields all the juicy, beefy flavor of traditional meatloaf but in bite-size form. Mini meatloaves glazed with umami-flavored sauce are the perfect appetizer or dinner entree.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- ½ Green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup Mild salsa
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large Egg
- 1 cup Bread crumbs, plain
Seasoning
- 1 ½ tablespoons All purpose seasoning, Lawrys
- ½ tablespoon Garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon Onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 packet Onion soup mix
Glaze for the Mini Meatloafs
- 1 ½ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add ground beef, diced onion and bell pepper, salsa, Worcestershire sauce, egg, and bread crumbs. Next add all of the seasonings including the all purpose seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and onion soup mix into the bowl.
- Using gloved hands, combine all ingredients by mixing with hands. Try not to overwork the meat mixture. Turn over-and-over until everything is thoroughly combined into the meat.
- Form the meat mixture into 12 equal parts and use your hands to form them into balls. Place the meatballs into the pre-greased muffin tin. Press the meatballs down into each muffin cup so that they are flat, as they will shrink-up during cooking.
- Lightly tint the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Cook for 45 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is cooking, prepare the glaze by thoroughly combining the ketchup, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder in a medium size bowl.
- Remove the muffin tin from the oven and drain the grease by very carefully pouring it out (careful not to let the meatloaf fall out), or use a turkey baster to remove the excess grease. Pour out as much as possible.
- Spoon and spread the glaze over the top of each mini meatloaf, ensuring to completely cover it. Place the muffin tray back in the oven, uncovered, and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
- After removing the mini meatloaf from the oven, let it set for at least 10 minutes untouched. A lot of the grease will continue to seep out. Drain the grease again by gently pouring it out, or using a turkey baster. And enjoy!
Notes
Use tomato sauce in place of ketchup, double the amount of brown sugar if you want it on the sweeter side.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 318Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1418mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 23g
This website provides approximate nutrition information as a courtesy and for convenience only.
Food safety for Mini Meatloaf Recipe
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 160 degrees F (71 °C).
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- If you aren't using disposable gloves, wash your hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. This mini meatloaf recipe should be eaten or stored within 2 hours.
- Always havegood ventilation when using a gas stove.
