Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Portions: Baking the meatloaf in a muffin tin creates individual servings, making it easy to serve and enjoy.
- Kid-Friendly: The playful presentation with mashed potato “frosting” makes this dish appealing to children and adults alike.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with different types of ground meat or added vegetables to suit your preferences.
- Quick Cooking Time: Smaller portions mean faster baking, getting dinner on the table in less time.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Meatloaf:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mashed Potato Frosting:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, milk, finely chopped onion, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Fill Muffin Tin:
- Evenly divide the meat mixture among the muffin tin cups, pressing gently to fill each cup.
- Bake:
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatloaf muffins are cooked through and the tops are browned.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes:
- While the meatloaf muffins are baking, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Mash until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble:
- Once the meatloaf muffins are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Remove the muffins from the tin and place them on a serving platter.
- Using a piping bag or a spoon, top each meatloaf muffin with the mashed potatoes, creating a “frosting” effect.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley, if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 12 mini meatloaf muffins.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Meat Options: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of meats for a different flavor profile.
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach into the meat mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
- Cheesy Twist: Mix shredded cheese into the mashed potatoes or sprinkle cheese on top before serving for a cheesy variation.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Allow the meatloaf muffins to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Place the cooled meatloaf muffins on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the meatloaf muffins without the mashed potato topping and add fresh mashed potatoes when reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the muffins in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Mini Meatloaf Muffins with Mashed Potato Frosting
These Savory Mini Meatloaf Muffins are a fun, kid-friendly twist on classic meatloaf! Baked in a muffin tin for perfect portions, each mini meatloaf is topped with creamy mashed potato frosting for a delicious and comforting meal. Great for family dinners, meal prep, or parties!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini meatloaf muffins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Mashed Potato Frosting:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped chives or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture:
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, milk, onion, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Fill & Bake:
- Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin tin cups, pressing gently.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Make the Mashed Potatoes:
- While the meatloaf bakes, boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until tender (15-20 minutes).
- Drain, then mash with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble & Serve:
- Let the muffins cool slightly, then remove from the tin.
- Pipe or spoon mashed potato frosting on top of each muffin.
- Garnish with chopped chives or parsley, if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Meat Options: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Cheesy Twist: Mix shredded cheddar into the mashed potatoes.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use GF breadcrumbs.
- Storage: Keep in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months (without mashed potatoes for best results).