Mini Meatloaf Muffins
Individual meatloaf cups made with ground beef and oats, topped with a tangy tomato glaze—ideal for small portions and easy eating. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 39 minutes pairs ground beef, uncooked old-fashioned oats, large egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup, uncooked old-fashioned oats
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, oats, egg, ketchup, dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt; mix gently with a fork until just combined—do not overmix.
- Step 3: Divide the mixture evenly into the 12 muffin cups, pressing down gently to form compact shapes.
- Step 4: Bake for 22-25 minutes until the meatloaf muffins are firm to the touch and cooked through, with no pink in the center.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini Meatloaf Muffins take to make?
Total time is about 39 minutes (15 min prep + 24 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mini Meatloaf Muffins?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mini Meatloaf Muffins?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mini Meatloaf Muffins for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mini Meatloaf Muffins?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.