Mini Meatloaf Recipe

Are you tired of traditional meatloaf that never quite hits the mark? Mini meatloaves might just be your new dinnertime hero. These compact, perfectly portioned meal solutions transform the classic comfort food into something more convenient and faster to prepare. You'll love how quickly they cook and how each individual portion ensures everyone gets the crispy edges they crave. Curious about creating these bite-sized wonders that promise maximum flavor with minimal effort? Let's uncover the secrets to crafting the ultimate mini meatloaf that'll have your family asking for seconds.

Recipe Highlights

• Mini meatloaves offer a convenient, faster-cooking alternative to traditional meatloaf, with individual portions baking in just 25-30 minutes at 375°F.
• Create mini meatloaves by combining ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, and onion soup mix, then shaping into four equal portions.
• Ensure food safety by cooking mini meatloaves to an internal temperature of 160°F and using an instant-read meat thermometer for precise doneness.
• Enhance flavor with a caramelized ketchup glaze and pair with sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple side salad.
• Store leftover mini meatloaves in the refrigerator for 24 hours or freeze individually wrapped portions for up to three months.

History

Meatloaf's culinary journey traces back to ancient Roman cookbooks, where ground meat mixtures were first documented.

You'll find this humble dish evolved through centuries of European and American cooking traditions. German immigrants brought their distinctive meat preparation techniques to the United States in the late 19th century, transforming simple ground meat recipes into what we now recognize as classic meatloaf.

During the Great Depression, meatloaf became an economic staple, allowing families to stretch expensive meat with affordable breadcrumbs and seasonings.

World War II further cemented its popularity, with home cooks developing creative recipes using rationed ingredients.

Recipe

Busy families rejoice—these individual-sized meatloaves deliver classic comfort food with unprecedented convenience. By breaking a traditional meatloaf into smaller portions, cooking time reduces dramatically while maintaining all the rich, satisfying flavors home cooks love.

Perfectly portioned and simple to prepare, these mini meatloaves transform an ordinary ground beef mixture into a delectable meal that pleases both adults and children. Each compact loaf promises tender, juicy meat enhanced by a classic ketchup glaze that caramelizes beautifully during baking.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 packet onion soup mix

Preparing these mini meatloaves begins with combining all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using clean hands, gently mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ¼ cup ketchup, and onion soup mix until thoroughly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat which can make the loaves tough.

Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions, shaping each into a compact mini loaf. Place the loaves in a baking dish, then brush the remaining ketchup over the tops to create a flavorful, caramelized glaze.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring safe and perfectly cooked meat.

Pro tips include letting the meatloaves rest for 5 minutes after baking to help retain their juices, and considering make-ahead options like refrigerating shaped loaves for up to 24 hours or freezing cooked portions for future quick meals.

For optimal storage, wrap individual portions in foil and place in freezer bags, where they'll keep for up to three months.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by combining all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, gently blending the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, and onion soup mix without overworking the meat.

Next, shape the mixture into four equal mini loaves, carefully placing them in a baking dish and brushing the tops with remaining ketchup.

Bake the mini meatloaves at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 160°F, and then let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in those delicious juices.

Step 1. Combine Ingredients in Bowl

When mixing mini meatloaf ingredients, grab a large mixing bowl and prepare to combine your components with precision. Start by measuring your ground beef, breadcrumbs, and onion soup mix carefully to ensure balanced flavor and texture.

Crack the egg directly into the bowl, creating a binding agent that'll help hold your mini loaves together. Use your hands to blend the ingredients, but don't overwork the meat—this can make your meatloaves tough and dense.

Mix until the ingredients are just incorporated, with breadcrumbs evenly distributed throughout the beef. Pro tip: Work quickly and keep your touch light, allowing the mixture to remain loose and tender.

Your goal is a consistent blend that'll form perfectly shaped mini loaves, promising a delicious, home-cooked meal everyone will enjoy.

Step 2. Shape Meat Into Loaves

After thoroughly mixing your meatloaf ingredients, divide the meat mixture into four equally sized portions for consistent cooking and portioning. Use a kitchen scale or eyeball the amounts, ensuring each portion looks roughly the same size.

Gently shape each portion into an oval or oblong loaf, about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, without compressing the meat too tightly.

• Keep your hands slightly damp to prevent sticking
• Use light, gentle pressure when forming loaves
• Maintain a loose, tender texture by minimizing handling

Place the shaped mini meatloaves in a lightly greased baking dish, leaving a small space between each to promote even cooking.

Their uniform size guarantees balanced cooking time and consistent internal temperature, ensuring each bite is perfectly juicy and well-seasoned.

Step 3. Brush Loaves With Ketchup

Ketchup transforms ordinary mini meatloaves into a glossy, caramelized masterpiece with its sweet-tangy glaze.

You'll want to use the remaining ¼ cup from your recipe to create a vibrant, appetizing coating. Start by using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to evenly spread the ketchup across the top of each mini loaf, ensuring complete coverage.

The key is a thin, uniform layer that'll create a beautiful sheen and add a delightful flavor dimension. Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons per mini meatloaf, gently brushing from the center outward.

Don't worry about perfection—a slightly rustic approach looks homemade and delicious. This final touch not only enhances visual appeal but also adds a classic, nostalgic taste that elevates your mini meatloaves from simple to spectacular.

Step 4. Bake Until Thoroughly Cooked

Precisely timed baking transforms your raw mini meatloaves into a perfectly cooked, delectable meal that'll have everyone eagerly gathered around the dinner table.

Position your baking dish in the center of a preheated 375°F oven, ensuring even heat distribution. Cook for 25-30 minutes, watching for key doneness indicators:

• Internal temperature reaches 160°F
• Meat appears firm and opaque
• Edges start to slightly brown
• Ketchup glaze caramelizes

Use an instant-read meat thermometer to verify doneness, inserting it into the center of a loaf's thickest section.

Avoid overcooking, which can dry out the meat. When the temperature hits 160°F, remove the dish from the oven.

Let the mini meatloaves rest for 5 minutes—this crucial step allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite remains moist and flavorful.

Step 5. Rest Before Serving

As soon as your mini meatloaves emerge from the oven, they'll need a brief moment to settle and redistribute their succulent juices.

Let the cooked loaves rest directly in the baking dish for 5 minutes, which allows internal temperatures to stabilize and meat fibers to relax. During this short waiting period, proteins will reabsorb moisture, ensuring each bite remains tender and juicy.

Use this time to prepare side dishes or set the table. Watch for visual cues like slight steam reduction and a more compact appearance.

When ready to serve, use a spatula to carefully transfer each mini meatloaf to individual plates. The brief resting phase prevents moisture loss, maintaining the delectable texture you've carefully developed during cooking.

Final Thoughts

When you're looking to transform weeknight dinners from mundane to memorable, these mini meatloaves offer a delightful solution that's both practical and delicious.

You'll appreciate how easily these individual portions adapt to busy schedules, freezing beautifully for future meals and providing consistent, savory results every time.

Consider experimenting with different ground meat variations like turkey or pork, which can add unique flavor profiles to the classic recipe.

Precision matters: always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety, aiming for that perfect 160°F.

Pro tip: pair these mini meatloaves with roasted vegetables or a simple side salad for a complete, balanced meal.

Your family will thank you for bringing creativity and convenience to the dinner table, one mini meatloaf at a time.