Mini Meatloaf Recipe

Name: Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 pound lean turkey; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoon ketchup; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon dried minced onion; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs; 1 egg; Black pepper, to taste; 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

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the best mini meatloaf recipe made with ground turkey and ground beef

Why I made mini meatloaf

We’ve been having a bit of a dinner time struggle lately. My oldest doesn’t want to eat anything I make, and we are getting constant complaints at the table. It’s been super fun.

When I put her to bed the other night, I asked her what she wanted to have for dinner the next day. “Maybe meatloaf?” she replied with a questionable voice.

So the next day, we made mini meatloaf together while watching The Descendants 3 on my computer, and she got to mix the meat and help portion out the meatloaves.

Bonus points go to the mini meatloaf though, because besides being fun, they cook way faster than traditional meatloaf.

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closeup of mini meatloaf recipe, sliced on a plate with green beans and mashed potatoes

Why would you put milk in meatloaf?

Believe it or not, a lot of meatloaf recipes have milk in them. I know. It’s crazy, but just like meatballs, milk is used a binder. Plus, it helps to moisten the meatloaf.

You could substitute dairy free milk, but, you don’t need to. There are plenty of other ways to bind and moisten meatloaf. In place of milk, I’ve used my favorite Panko breadcrumbs* and egg. *Be sure to double check your ingredients for hidden dairy.

More meatloaf recipes: diner style meatloaf / grilled meatloaf / caramelized onion meatloaf / Italian meatloaf / meatloaf meatballs / meatloaf muffins

mini meatloaf recipe portioned and ready to be sauced and baked on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Here’s what you’ll need to make them

Equipment

mixing bowl

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meat thermometer

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baking sheet

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Meatloaf Ingredients

To make this a healthier meatloaf recipe I’ve used both ground beef and ground turkey, but you can easily swap one out for the other and go for all beef, or all turkey.

If you opt for all lean turkey, you may want to add another egg to maintain the moisture. You can also swap the turkey out for ground pork which will give you a more traditional meatloaf recipe.

mini meatloaf recipe with meatloaf sauce on top, before being baked on a baking sheet with parchment paper

How do you make meatloaf?

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl until evenly combined. Don’t over mix or you’ll end up with tough meatloaf.

Portion the meatloaf. Divide the mixture into 8 equal loaves. I like to use my kitchen scale to make sure mine are the same size, but you can eyeball it if needed

Make the meatloaf sauce. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and spread a thin layer onto the top of each loaf before baking. Reserving the rest for later.

Bake the meatloaves at 400˚F for about 30 – 35 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. With about 10 minutes left, add another layer of meatloaf sauce to the top of your mini meatloaf.

Use a meat thermometer to make sure the loaves reach 165˚F (you can take them out at 160˚F and let them rest).

mini meatloaf after being baked in the oven

FAQs and tips for making the best meatloaf

Do I have to put eggs in meatloaf?

No. You can substitute 1/4 cup of liquid for each egg. Any liquid will work: water, broth, juice, milk, etc.

What is meatloaf sauce made of?

Meatloaf sauce can be made from anything really, but its traditionally made from ketchup and brown sugar to create a glaze.

Why does my meatloaf fall apart?

Your meatloaf is either too dry or doesn’t contain enough binder. You may have also overcooked your meatloaf.

Do you cover meatloaf when you cook it?

You do not have to cover meatloaf when you cook it, but you can if you’re worried about it drying out. Remove the cover for the last 10 – 15 minutes of cooking to allow the meatloaf sauce to brown.

What is the internal temperature of a cooked meatloaf?

Since this recipe uses both turkey and beef, you’ll want to cook it to a food safe temperature of 165˚F.

Can you freeze meatloaf?

Absolutely. Just be sure to wrap it in a freezer friendly paper, or use an airtight container, and you can freeze this for up to 6 months.

You can also freeze the uncooked meat mixture. Just thaw and bake as directed when you’re ready.

What goes good with meatloaf?

More ground meat recipes: