I think everyone has a favorite meatloaf recipe whether you make mom's, grandma's, or tweak your own recipes.
This is a basic recipe idea that the kids love, nothing fancy meatloaf, and very versatile for any weeknight.
You can even make these ahead of time and freeze them, then just pop them in the oven to reheat, or mix it quickly in the morning before heading out to work.
Scroll down to make this easy recipe or try your favorite in a muffin tin, easy fun and terrific for hosting parties even as an appetizer!
Easy Meals
I am all about making easy meals.
I love the fact that you can get this made in hardly any time.
The best thing about meatloaf is it really tastes even better the next day!
Easy Step-by-Step
- mix your favorite meatloaf recipe or mine
- spray a muffin tin
- scoop out around 3 tablespoons of meatloaf mixture and shape it into a ball
- place the raw meat in the prepared muffin tins
- make an indentation on top fill with some ketchup and a piece of sliced pepper
- bake at 350 for 30 minutes
Fun Serving Suggestions
- top the meatloaf with a dollop of mashed potatoes and corn a little gravy and make mini shepherd pies
- fill the center with refried beans and salsa
- use leftovers in a sandwich with melted cheese
- make other shaped muffin tins like a heart for Valentine's Day
- bake them in a mini muffin tin for appetizers
Check Out My Fun Recipes For The Kids!
Maybe you remember my Halloween Meatball Ghoul? Or my Mexican meatloaf cupcakes, then I also make an Italian-style Egg stuffed meatloaf. I even made a meatball-style meatloaf!
Other Meats To Substitute
- ground chicken or turkey
- ground lamb
- ground pork
- ground venison
Try Some Of These Cupcake Tin Ideas
Kielbasa Muffins
Mexican Meatloaf Cups
Cupcake Tin French Toast
Cinnamon Roll Muffin Cups
Baked Egg Cupcakes
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Meatloaf Recipes
This basic recipe for meatloaf is so versatile but you surely can use your own recipe you prefer.
You can change it up if you are not a beef eater by making a vegan-style meatloaf.
Either way, you make this basic comfort food, this meatloaf is easy to make and it's such a fun easy meal for dinner!

Meatloaf in a Muffin Pan
Yield: 12
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 40 Min
Single serving meatloaf made in a muffin pan is such a deliciously fun way to serve this classic favorite. Here are our recipe and tips.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, ground turkey or venison
- 3/4 cup dry Italian style flavored bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1/4 grated cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish:
- 1 bell pepper diced
- ketchup
- Tools:
- cupcake tins
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a large bowl, mix together ground beef or turkey, eggs, bread crumbs, tomato sauce, grated cheese, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add oregano, basil, garlic powder, half the diced peppers.
- Roll into balls to fit and place in greased cupcake tins.
- Make an indentation in the middle of each one and squirt some ketchup in the middle top with sliced bell peppers.
- Bake till crispy looking on top for around 30 to 35 minutes.
Notes:
Tips
- Use bone-in chicken parts
- Cook low and slow
- Always use fresh ingredients for herbs
- Fresh plum tomatoes make a big difference in flavor
- Use leftover sauce and debone the chicken for another meal
- Always brown the chicken first
- Cast iron skillets and saucepans were used back in the 1960s
- Serving suggestions sop up the sauce with hard-crusted Italian bread, over pasta, rice or even a baked potato
Cooking Methods
- Stovetop: cast-iron or porcelain cast iron pan
- Dutch Oven: use for oven baking method
- Instant Pot: Sear chicken first then use the pressure cooker mode for 45 minutes or refer to your instruction booklet
- Slow Cooker: brown the meat first on the stovetop, set the slow cooker for 6 hours on low
Note: Although this recipe was only made on the stovetop, through modern technology I have tried every method of cooking, cast iron on the stovetop is still my first choice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
266.99Fat (grams)
14.08Sat. Fat (grams)
5.01Carbs (grams)
12.18Fiber (grams)
0.94Net carbs
11.24Sugar (grams)
4.16Protein (grams)
22.11Sodium (milligrams)
243.24Cholesterol (grams)
96.52Meatloaf Cupcakes Pin for later
Don't forget to try my other meatloaf fun recipes!
Halloween Meatball Ghoul
Mexican meatloaf cupcakes
Italian style stuffed meatloaf
I love these mini meatloaves. Perfect to freeze for a busy day!
ReplyDeleteThese look so easy to make and they would be great at a party food buffet.
ReplyDeleteI love these mini meatloafs! It's a lot more fun than a big loaf pan :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to give this recipe a try. My kids are going through a picky stage as well but I think they are going to love these meatloaf cupcakes. Thanks for helping a momma out!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to try these for our neighborhood block party. Such a great idea. I love that I can make them in advance and freeze....so the day of the party I just have to defrost and reheat. GENIUS.
ReplyDeleteI bet these are a hit with kids! So fun and the perfect portion size.
ReplyDeleteOh yum! My whole family would go crazy for these mini meatloaves. This recipe looks super easy and full of ingredients my family loves. Looking forward to trying soon.
ReplyDeleteA great snack idea. I like the presentation, it's really a great job. This looks sooooo good! Yummy! This made me drool. Cannot wait to try this. Thank you for a great recipe!
ReplyDeleteI love that these are individual servings! No one else in my family will eat meatloaf but I love it - this is perfect!
ReplyDeleteAny kind of food in cupcake form is going to be a winner with families! Such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteLove finger foods and these little meatloaf cupcakes would be great at a party. They would even be ideal as a light snack. Better these cupcakes then something sweet. Cute idea -- I'll be making some during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteSo cool to make these in cupcake pans. How simple and easy. I bet the kids got fascinated that they were made like cupcakes.
ReplyDelete