Meatloaf Minis with Mashed Potatoes
As a kid, I absolutely dreaded meatloaf nights. I even hated the name meatloaf (it sounded super gross to me) but not as much as I detested the meal. I would literally gag on each bite and because of my display of dissatisfaction, I would be forced to sit at the table until my serving was gone. So I did what any sensible child would do, and I’d plug my nose and follow each bite with a huge gulp of water.
This certainly isn’t the traditional meatloaf recipe of my childhood. Meatloaf Minis with Mashed Potatoes is actually one of my most favorite meals. The savory meatloaf portions are full of spices, herbs, parmesan cheese, onion, and Panko bread crumbs, topped with our most delicious made-from-scratch cheddar cheese mashed potatoes, and between those layers is a tangy tomato-based ketchup. A simply scrumptious and easy meatloaf recipe … the ultimate comfort food!
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What do you need to make this Mini Meatloaf Recipe with Mashed Potatoes?
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make these mini meatloaves:
- Ground beef (you can also substitute with lean meat like extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey), 1 pound
- Onion, 1 medium – finely chopped or grated
- Green bell peppers, chopped and then minced (optional)
- Parmesan cheese, 1 cup – grated
- Tomato ketchup, 1/2 cup ketchup
- Eggs, 2 large
- Panko bread crumbs, 1 cup
- Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon
- Dried oregano, 1 teaspoon
- Dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt + pepper
- Cooking spray
Toppings for the Mini Meatloaf Muffins:
- Tomato ketchup
- Dried or fresh parsley
- Mashed potatoes, 3 cups prepared
How do you make this Easy Meatloaf Muffin Recipe?
This is one of the easiest muffin tin meatloaf recipes and the quickest to bake! Its presentation is beautiful and fun, and the individual servings make it a dish the whole family will enjoy (and it helps with portion control)!
Here’s what you need to do …
Heat oven to 350° F. Spray 6 holes of a bundtlette mini pan or a muffin pan with large muffin cups, with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Recipe Note:
You can even use scoops of the meatloaf mixture on a prepared baking sheet (but may require slightly more Panko bread crumbs to keep them together) – but using a muffin pan works best.
Finely dice or grate the onion (and an optional minced green bell pepper) into a large bowl. Add in all remaining ingredients. Then use clean hands to mix and combine well.
Fill each bundtlette or muffin cup with the meat mixture, pressing in slightly as you fill each one.
Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the ground beef has browned and has cooked all the way through.
Recipe Note:
If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of the meat should reach 160° F to be fully cooked.
Assembly …
Now for the fun part! First, you will need mashed potatoes and your tomato-based ketchup. So, use your favorite mashed potato recipe or use our homemade version! Our Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe is divine!
If you’re using a bundtlette pan, remove all of your meatloaf cupcakes, drop some ketchup into the center hole, and then around the top. Press a spoonful of mashed potatoes into the hole and then top it off with another scoop. Sprinkle with dried or fresh parsley to top them off and make them even prettier!
Or if using a muffin tin, remove your meatloaf muffins, and then drop and spread ketchup over the tops. Layer each one with a scoop of mashed potatoes and sprinkle with dried or fresh parsley.
Now, this is a meatloaf anyone would be excited to bite into! It is by far, our most favorite meatloaf recipe and we hope it becomes your family favorite too! Enjoy!
What can you serve with Meatloaf Minis and Mashed Potatoes?
- A variety of microgreens would be perfect!
- A garden salad.
- Any veggie … maybe steamed green beans, peas, or carrots!
- Seasoned corn on the cob.
Or you can add extra veggies to the meatloaf mixture by grating a few carrots, zucchini, peppers, or your favorite vegetable prior to baking.
Can you freeze this meatloaf recipe?
Freezing this meatloaf muffin recipe is totally doable! You could double the recipe in order to cook one and freeze the other for another day. Or … prepare the meatloaf per instructions, layer the inside of the pan with plastic wrap, and then shape the meat mixture into the pan. Instead of placing it in the oven, wrap it all in a few more layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, and then transfer it to the freezer.
When you wish to use it for dinner, thoroughly thaw the meatloaf in the refrigerator and then bake in the oven per the instructions in the recipe card.
Meatloaf can also be frozen after it’s been fully cooked. To do so, ensure it has completely cooled first. Wrap it tightly with several layers of plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. However, I highly recommend freezing before cooking so ensure the meatloaf does not dry out when baked or reheated for the second time.
How to store leftover meatloaf …
Leftovers are best stored in a sealed container or ziplock bag, refrigerated promptly, and eaten within 3 days.
Enjoy!
Looking for more tasty and easy recipes? Try a few here:
- Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous
- Chicken & Pork Crostina Pasta
- Creamy Beef and Potatoes
- Wild Rice Chicken Casserole – (Easy Recipe)
- Meat and Potato Timballo Pie
Meatloaf Minis with Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Mixing bowl, large
- Bundtlette or muffin pan, 6 cups
- Cooking spray
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef , or sub with extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion , finely chopped or grated
- 1 medium green bell pepper , chopped and minced *Optional
- 1 cup parmesan cheese , grated
- ½ cup tomato ketchup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
Topping
- tomato ketchup
- parsley , dried or freshly chopped
- 3 cups mashed potatoes , already prepared
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Spray 6 holes of a bundtlette mini pan or muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Finely dice or grate the onion (and peppers, if using) into a large bowl. Add in all remaining ingredients. Using clean hands to mix and combine well.
- Fill each bundtlette or muffin cup with the meat mixture, pressing in slightly as you fill each one.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the ground beef has browned and has cooked all the way through. Recipe Note: If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of the meat should reach 160° F to be fully cooked.
Assembly
- * See our separate recipe for Mashed Potatoes or use your favorite brand.
- If using a bundtlette pan, drop some ketchup into the center hole and then around the top. Press a spoonful of mashed potatoes into the hole and then top it off with another scoop. Sprinkle with dried (or freshly chopped) parsley.If using a muffin tin, drop and spread ketchup over the top of each meatloaf muffin. Top each one with a scoop of mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with dried (or freshly chopped) parsley.
Notes
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Looking for more tasty recipes? Try one of these …
- Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous
- Chicken & Pork Crostina Pasta
- Creamy Beef and Potatoes
- Wild Rice Chicken Casserole – (Easy Recipe)
- Meat and Potato Timballo Pie
I really like your writing style, excellent info, and this recipe turned out amazing! My family loved it! I appreciate the posting : D.