Mini Meatloaf Recipe

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Mini Meatloaf Recipe

This Mini Meatloaf Recipe is a delicious and convenient meal prep option for anyone who wants to enjoy this classic comfort food without committing to a large portion. Not only are these individual servings of meatloaf easy to make, but they are also incredibly delicious.

Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner solution or an on-the-go lunch option, mini meatloaves are the perfect choice for busy individuals who want to stay healthy and satisfied.

What Is Mini Meatloaf

Mini meatloaf, as the name suggests, is a smaller version of traditional meatloaf. Instead of making a large loaf that serves several people, mini meatloaves are made in individual portions.

The recipe for mini meatloaf is similar to classic meatloaf, but with some modifications. Ground beef or turkey is mixed with eggs, breadcrumbs, onion soup mix and garlic powder, salt and pepper. Some recipes may also call for Worcestershire sauce or ketchup.

Once the mixture is prepared, it’s shaped into small loaves and baked in the oven until cooked through. Mini meatloaves typically take less time to cook than traditional ones due to their smaller size.

One advantage of mini meatloaf is that it’s easier to portion control compared to a larger loaf. It’s also perfect for those who live alone or have a small family since they don’t have to make an entire loaf.

Another benefit of mini meatloaf is that you can experiment with different flavors and ingredients by adding vegetables like carrots or zucchini or using spices like cumin or chili.

Mini Meatloaf Ingredients

Meatloaf

• 1.25 Pounds Ground Beef
• 3/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1 Package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 1 Tablespoon Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Parsley flakes Dried parsley is fine
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Meatloaf Sauce

• 1/2 Cup Ketchup
• 2 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

How To Make Mini Meatloaf

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fairenheight.

Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with a non-stick cooking spray like Pam.

Mix together the ingredients for the Meatloaf sauce and set aside. These will be placed on the top of the mini meatloaves halfway through cooking.

In a bowl mix together the 2 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tablespoon ketchup and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Add the meat, parsley, bread crumbs, Lipton Soup mix, garlic salt, garlic powder, and ground pepper.

Mix all the ingredients for the meatloaf together and spread the meat mixture evenly in the muffin pan. I like to use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to ensure that an equal amount is distributed.

Place the muffin tin into the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Remove the mini meatloaves from the oven and evenly spoon the meatloaf sauce over the top of the meatloaves.

Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the meat is completely cooked.

I like to use a digital meat thermometer to measure the inner temperature of the meat. This helps me to make sure that it is completely cooked and safe to eat.

Remove the Mini Meatloaves from the oven and let them sit in the muffin pan for 5 minutes prior to removing and serving with your favorite sides.

FAQs And Tips For Making The Best Mini Meatloaf Recipe

What Is The Secret To Moist Meatloaf?

Moist meatloaf is a comfort food that many people enjoy. However, it can be challenging to get the perfect texture without drying out the meat. So what’s the secret to moist meatloaf? Here are some tips:

1. Don’t Overwork The Meat: The more you work the ground beef, the tougher it will become. Mix your ingredients together until they’re just combined.

2. Use Moist Ingredients: Adding moist ingredients like grated onions, eggs, or even ketchup help to keep your meatloaf from drying out.

3. Add A Binder: A binder like eggs or breadcrumbs helps hold everything together and keeps moisture in.

4. Choose The Right Ground Beef: Choose ground beef with a higher fat content (80% lean/20% fat) for added moisture and flavor.

5. Bake In A Muffin Pan: Baking mini meatloaf in a Muffin Pan allows excess liquid to stay in the loaf while baking, keeping it nice and moist.

6. Let It Rest: Allow your meatloaf to rest for about 5 minutes before eating.

What Ingredients Keeps Meatloaf From Falling Apart?

Meatloaf is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make, versatile and delicious. However, one of the most common problems with making meatloaf is that it can easily fall apart during cooking, leaving you with a crumbly mess instead of a hearty meal. Fortunately, there are several ingredients you can use to keep your meatloaf intact and prevent it from crumbling.

1. Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs are an essential ingredient in meatloaf as they help to bind everything together. They work by absorbing moisture from the other ingredients and creating a cohesive mixture that holds its shape when cooked. Use fresh breadcrumbs for best results.

2. Eggs: Eggs are another binding agent commonly used in meatloaf recipes. They not only hold the mixture together but also add moisture and richness to the dish.

Why Do You Put Milk In Meatloaf?

One of the key ingredients in meatloaf is milk. You might be wondering why milk is added to this savory dish. Here are the reasons behind adding milk to meatloaf.

1. Moisture: Meat can become dry when cooked for a long time. Adding milk helps keep the meat moist while it cooks, ensuring that your meatloaf will be tender and juicy.
2. Texture: Milk helps create a softer texture in your meatloaf by adding an extra layer of creaminess to the mix.
3. Flavor: The subtle sweetness of dairy enhances the flavor of beef or pork in meatloaf as well as blending all other flavors together nicely.
4. Binding Agent: Milk works as a binding agent that holds all the ingredients of your meatloaf together without making it tough or dense.
5. Nutritional Value: Milk contains essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D which are beneficial for overall health especially for growing children and teenagers who need these nutrients most.
6. Cost-Effective: Using milk as an ingredient instead of more expensive options such as cream cheese or sour cream can make it budget-friendly without compromising on quality and taste.

Can You Freeze Mini Meatloaf?

Mini meatloaves are a great option for individual servings of this classic comfort food. They are easy to make and can be customized to suit different tastes. But what do you do if you have leftover mini meatloaf? Can you freeze it for later?

The answer is yes, you can freeze mini meatloaf. Freezing is a convenient way to save leftovers and ensure they don’t go to waste.

Here’s how:

1. Let the Mini Meatloaf Cool: Before freezing your mini meatloaf, allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Wrap Each Portion Individually: Once the mini meatloaf has cooled down, wrap each portion individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help prevent freezer burn and keep the meatloaf moist.
3. Place in Freezer Bags: Next, place each wrapped mini meatloaf into a large freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing it shut.
4. Label and Date: Don’t forget to label your bags with the date so that you know when they were frozen.

What Goes Good With Meatloaf?

Meatloaf is a comfort food that brings back memories of family dinners and home-cooked meals.

But what goes good with meatloaf? Here are some ideas:

1. Loaded Mashed Potatoes – Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are the perfect pair. The creamy texture of the mashed potatoes complements the hearty flavors of the meatloaf.
2. Roasted Vegetables – Roasted vegetables like zucchini, brussel sprouts, or asparagus are a great side dish to serve with meatloaf. The roasted veggies add a pop of color and nutrition to your meal.
3. Macaroni and Cheese – Macaroni and cheese is another classic comfort food that pairs well with meatloaf. The cheesy goodness adds an additional layer of flavor to your meal.
4. Sweet Potato Fries – Sweet Potato Fries bring that sweet and salty crunch that makes for an easy side dish that will complement any type of meatloaf recipe.

Other Recipes To Try

Mini Meatloaf Recipe

This Mini Meatloaf Recipe is a delicious and convenient meal prep option for anyone who wants to enjoy this classic comfort food without committing to a large portion. Not only are these individual servings of meatloaf easy to make, but they are also incredibly delicious.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

• 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
• 1 Muffin Pan

Ingredients

  

Meatloaf

• 1.25 Pounds Ground Beef
• 3/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1 Package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 1 Tablespoon Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Parsley flakes Dried parsley is fine
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Meatloaf Sauce

• 1/2 Cup Ketchup
• 2 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fairenheight.

  Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with a non-stick cooking spray like Pam.
• Mix together the ingredients for the Meatloaf sauce and set aside. These will be placed on the top of the mini meatloaves halfway through cooking.
• In a bowl mix together the 2 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tablespoon ketchup and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
• Add the meat, parsley, bread crumbs, Lipton Soup mix, garlic salt, garlic powder, and ground pepper.

  Mix all the ingredients for the meatloaf together and spread the meat mixture evenly in the muffin tin.
• Place the muffin tin into the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

  Remove the mini meatloaves from the oven and evenly spoon the meatloaf sauce over the top of the meatloaves.

  Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the meat is completely cooked.
• Remove the Mini Meatloaves from the oven and let them sit in the muffin pan for 5 minutes prior to removing and serving with your favorite sides.

Keyword Appetizer, Dinner Idea, Main Dish, meatloaf

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