Before practice
Twelve little meatloaves in a muffin tin, done in a third of the time a full loaf takes.
The muffin shape is the trick: more surface area means they bake fast enough for a weeknight.
Make the full dozen and tuck half in the freezer for a future night you will be glad to have covered.
Ingredients
Use these ingredients for mini meatloaf muffin plates when serves 4 to 6 (makes 12 mini loaves) is the right target.
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, plus 1/3 cup for topping
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
How to Make It
Build mini meatloaf muffin plates from the sturdy pieces up so the meal survives the clock.
- Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- In a bowl, mix the beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, 2 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Press the mixture evenly into the 12 muffin cups.
- Brush the tops with the remaining ketchup.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until the centers reach 160F on a thermometer.
- Let them rest 3 minutes, then lift out and serve.
Timing Before Practice
Start about 35 minutes out; the muffin shape bakes far faster than a full loaf.
- T-minus 35: mix the meatloaf and fill the tin
- T-minus 25: bake until the centers hit 160F
- T-minus 5: rest 3 minutes, then plate
Make It Ahead or Save Leftovers
These are made for batch cooking, and they reheat beautifully.
- Fill the muffin tin earlier in the day and bake at dinner
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 60 seconds each
- Freeze cooled loaves and thaw a few for a fast future dinner
- Serve with: mashed potatoes, steamed green beans
Parent Tip
Do not overmix the meat or the loaves turn dense; stop as soon as it comes together.
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Add cheese
Press a cube of cheddar into the center of each for a melty surprise.
Go BBQ
Swap the ketchup topping for barbecue sauce for a smokier glaze.
Use turkey
Ground turkey works; add an extra splash of milk so it stays moist.
Sneak in vegetables
Stir in 1/2 cup finely grated carrot or zucchini for hidden veg.
Make sliders
Set a mini loaf on a slider bun with ketchup for a handheld dinner.
Plan The Next Step
Find more batch-and-freeze dinners
Use the planner to cook once and stock the freezer for later weeks.