Juicy Hearty Meatloaf Muffins Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Savory and packed with flavor, these hearty meatloaf muffins blend comfort and convenience into one delightful dish.

Tender ground beef mixed with classic seasonings creates a mouthwatering bite-sized meatloaf perfect for quick meals.

Each compact muffin delivers robust flavors that dance across your palate with every forkful.

The recipe combines simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen pantry.

Onions, breadcrumbs, and herbs infuse these mini meatloaves with rich, homestyle taste.

Baked until golden and slightly crisp on the outside, these individual portions ensure everyone gets a perfectly seasoned serving.

You’ll love how these meatloaf muffins make weeknight dinners both delicious and stress-free.

Serve Muffins with Veggies or Mashed Potatoes

• Comfort Plate Perfection: Pair these meatloaf muffins with creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for a classic, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Speedy Lunch Delight: Pack these muffins in lunchboxes with a small container of extra glaze, making them a delicious and portable midday protein option for work or school.
• Family-Style Feast: Create a build-your-own dinner station with the meatloaf muffins as the centerpiece, offering various side dishes like roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, and fresh dinner rolls for interactive family dining.
• Flavor Remix Option: Top each muffin with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives right before serving to add a bright, fresh garnish that elevates the presentation and adds a subtle herb note.

Store Leftover Meatloaf Muffins for Quick Meals

• Store cooled meatloaf muffins in airtight containers within the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Wrap each muffin individually to maintain moisture and prevent flavor transfer.
• Place muffins on a baking sheet to freeze separately, then transfer to freezer-safe bags. Frozen meatloaf muffins remain delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm muffins in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and juicy interior. Microwave works for quick heating, but may slightly compromise texture.
• Separate extra muffins into individual servings for quick grab-and-go lunches or convenient weeknight meals. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 4

Meatloaf Muffins Ingredient Checklist

• Ground Beef: Provides the rich, hearty foundation with deep protein and classic comfort food flavor, choose lean ground beef for less grease and better texture.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind ingredients and creates a tender, light texture, use fresh or panko for optimal moisture retention.
• Milk: Adds moisture and softens the meat mixture, whole milk works best for richness.
• Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent to hold the meatloaf together, select fresh eggs at room temperature.

• Onion: Brings subtle sweetness and depth, finely dice for even distribution.
• Garlic: Provides intense, robust flavor, fresh minced garlic delivers more punch than pre-minced.
• Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes, dried thyme works well if fresh is unavailable.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers subtle smoky undertone, choose high-quality Spanish paprika for best results.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tangy complexity and umami richness, use sparingly to balance flavors.

• Ketchup: Creates sweet-tangy base for topping, opt for traditional tomato ketchup.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramelized sweetness to glaze, light or dark varieties work well.
• Mustard: Introduces sharp, zesty accent to glaze, Dijon works wonderfully.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, kosher salt recommended.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth, freshly ground pepper preferred.

Tools That Help Bake Perfectly Portioned Meatloaf Muffins

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all those tasty ingredients without making a mess.
• 12-cup muffin tin: Essential for creating individual meatloaf portions with crispy edges.
• Muffin liners (optional): Makes cleanup super easy and helps prevent sticking.
• Small bowl: Needed for whipping up the delicious glaze.
• Measuring spoons and cups: Ensure precise ingredient amounts for best results.
• Spoon or pastry brush: Great for spreading that mouthwatering glaze evenly.
• Meat thermometer: Guarantees your meatloaf muffins are cooked to perfect safety.

How to Make Moist and Flavorful Meatloaf Muffins

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375 degrees, getting ready for some meaty.

• Mix the Meaty

Toss ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, and egg into a big bowl. Throw in diced onions, minced garlic, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and a sprinkle of herbs. Blend everything gently, keeping the mixture loose and tender.

• Create Muffin Masterpieces

Grab a muffin tin and give it a quick spray or line with paper cups. Scoop the meat mixture into each cup, pressing down softly to create perfect little mounds.

• Craft a Tangy Topping

Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and a touch of mustard. Drizzle this zesty glaze generously over each meat muffin, coating them with flavor.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the tin into the hot oven. Let these beauties cook for 20-25 minutes until they’re fully cooked through and reach a safe internal temperature.

• Serve and Enjoy

Give the muffins a quick rest, then carefully pop them out. Plate alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a crisp green salad for a meal that’ll make everyone smile.

Tips for Flavorful Toppings on Meatloaf Muffins

• Choose lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier muffin with less grease and better texture.
• Prepare the meatloaf mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator for convenient meal planning.
• Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like ground oats, almond flour, or gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Experiment with mix-ins like diced bell peppers, grated cheese, chopped herbs, or crispy bacon bits to elevate the meatloaf muffins' taste profile.
• Cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months – perfect for quick future meals that can be reheated in the microwave or oven.

FAQs

• Why use muffin tins for meatloaf?

Muffin tins help create individual portions that cook faster, ensure even heating, and provide crispy edges for each serving. They’re perfect for portion control and make serving much easier.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works well as a leaner alternative. Just ensure you add a bit more seasoning since turkey has less natural fat and flavor compared to beef.

• How do I know the meatloaf muffins are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 160F (71C). This guarantees the meat is safely cooked through without becoming dry.

• Can I prepare these meatloaf muffins in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the mixture and fill the muffin tins ahead of time, then refrigerate. When ready to cook, simply bake directly from the refrigerator, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Hearty Meatloaf Muffins Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comforting Meatloaf Muffins blend classic home cooking with modern portion control. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create delicious individual servings you’ll savor with each bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 tsp mustard

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and ready a 12-cup muffin tin with light grease or paper liners.
2. Meat Mixture Creation: Blend ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, and egg in a large mixing bowl, combining ingredients gently to maintain a tender texture without overworking the meat.
3. Seasoning Infusion: Fold in diced onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the meat mixture.
4. Muffin Shaping: Carefully portion and press the seasoned meat into muffin cups, creating uniform, compact portions that will cook evenly.
5. Glaze Development: Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together to create a vibrant, sweet-tangy coating for the meatloaf muffins.
6. Glazing and Baking: Brush the prepared glaze over each meat-filled cup and place in the preheated oven, cooking for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160F (71C).
7. Resting and Serving: Allow muffins to rest briefly after baking, then delicately remove from the tin and plate with accompanying sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Notes

• Meat Moisture Control: Avoid overmixing the ground beef to prevent tough, dense meatloaf muffins; mix ingredients gently and just until combined for tender texture.
• Precise Temperature Monitoring: Use a meat thermometer to accurately check internal temperature, ensuring safe cooking without drying out the meat.
• Glaze Application Technique: Apply glaze during the last 5-10 minutes of baking to prevent burning and achieve a perfect caramelized finish.
• Flexible Protein Options: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for different dietary preferences while maintaining similar preparation techniques.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 319
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg