Why Cook Meatloaf in a Muffin Pan?
These tasty mini meatloaf muffins are a fun twist on traditional meatloaf. Instead of being cooked in a loaf pan, get out your cupcake pan or muffin tin. The meatloaf muffins are pre-portioned and bite-sized, so they cook faster—just 20 minutes! You’ll get crispy edges and a flavorful barbecue topping, with a moist center in every bite. A regular meatloaf in a loaf pan takes 45 to 55 minutes to cook, depending on its size.
For adults, three mini meatloaf muffins make a satisfying serving, giving meat lovers a good portion. This recipe is veggie-forward, loaded with protein, fiber, and other nutritious benefits, making it a balanced option. Thanks to this delicious, portion-controlled recipe full of flavor and juiciness, you can fall in love with meatloaf all over again—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
Meatloaf Muffin Meal Prep Tips
These easy meatloaf muffins freeze well, defrost quickly, and make it easy to reheat leftovers in the microwave. Its muffin-sized portions make it portable, making it a perfect choice for lunch or snacks. You can prepare it in advance by combining the ingredients in the morning and placing the mixture in the refrigerator until you cook.
Muffin pan meatloaf produces sturdier pieces that cook evenly on all sides. Let’s be honest: removing that first serving from a loaf pan can be tricky!
Key Features:
– Cooks in 20 minutes
– Lots of Veggies
– High Protein
What Ingredients Make a Great Meatloaf?
What Are Meatloaf Basics?
1. Protein Options:
– Use ground meat such as beef, turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or even plant-based options.
– I prefer grass-fed 90% lean ground beef.
2. Binders:
– To hold the meatloaf together, you’ll need binders. Good options include:
– Eggs
– Quinoa –
– Almond flour –
– These binders are low-carb, salt-free, add protein and fiber, and gluten- and grain-free.
– If gluten or low-carb isn’t a concern, you can use toasted bread cut into small cubes
3. Adding Moisture and Flavor:
– Ingredients like ketchup, mustard, and garlic help enhance flavor and keep it moist. But the most unique ingredient is sauerkraut which not only adds exceptional juiciness and flavor to your mini meatloaf muffins but also offers a health boost. Saurekraut improves digestion by increasing fiber and vegetable intake.
– I also recommend using sugar-free condiments to keep the recipe low-carb.
4. Toppings:
– A flavorful topping adds color and juiciness. My favorites are:
– Sugar-free barbecue sauce with a hint of spicy garlic sauce.
– Tomato sauce also works well.
5. Cooking Options:
– You can bake meatloaf in various pans:
– Loaf pan
– Cast iron skillet
– Muffin pans
For a loaf or cast iron skillet recipe, check out “Keep Your Man Meatloaf.”
Mini Meatloaf Muffins - Recipe Steps
1
Mix the egg, ketsup, mustard, sauerkraut, carrot, garlic, salt pepper.
2
Add the meat and mix the ingredients with your hands or a spoon.
3
Grease the muffin pan with neutral oil.
4
Using a large cookie scoop, gently form 1/3 cup of meat mixture into each muffin section.
5
Mix topping ingredients and place 1 -2 teaspoon on each muffin and distribute to the edges.
6
Bake .
Equipment Needed
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How to Make Meatloaf Low-Carb
Meatloaf is predominantly protein, so it can easily be low-carb. Other ingredients keep the loaf together and add flavor. By choosing those ingredients carefully, you can make it compliant with many healthy eating regimens.
Low-carb and Paleo: Replace crackers or bread with almond flour and quinoa. These ingredients replace processed carbs (crackers, bread) and minimize salt intake. Another way to reduce carbs is to use condiments with no sugar. For example, carefully check the ketchup and BBQ sauce ingredients for added sugar. Use products that say no sugar or sugar-free.
Specific Carbohydrate Diet: Stay legal on this diet by increasing the almond flour for the binder and eliminating the quinoa, which is not permitted. See the notes on the recipe card below.
Heart-Healthy and Mediterranean Diet: Use ground turkey or lamb for protein. Again, avoiding sugar in the condiments will reduce calories and help reduce inflammation.
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Marry Me Mini Meatloaf Muffins: Low-Carb
These mini meatloaf muffins will make you fall in love with meatloaf again, this time with a special ingredient that provides ultimate flavor and juiciness. The muffin also cooks fast, making it a delicious weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Classic
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup onion diced – 1/2 large onion
- 1/2 cup sauerkraut, somewhat drained
- 1 small carrot, peeled and grated
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup, sugar-free preferred*
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard*
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons uncooked quinoa**
- 1 Tablespoon almond flour**
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, or ground lamb
Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (half used in sauce and another half to serve as a garnish)*
- 1 Tablespoon red curry paste, chili paste, or sambal oelek, optional*
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Place the rack in the middle position and set the oven to 375°F (350°F convection oven).
- Combine Ingredients: Combine the following in a large bowl – beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, sauerkraut, grated carrot, ketchup, mustard, quinoa, almond flour, salt, and pepper. Mix ingredients. Add meat and combine well to distribute all the ingredients. Using hands works best. Make-Ahead tip: If you want to prepare the mixture, it can be covered and placed in the refrigerator for 1 day if cooking the meatloaf later.
- Press mixture into muffin pan: Using a large cookie scoop, gently press 1/3 cup of the meat mixture into each muffin pan section.
- To make the Sauce, combine 1/4 cup barbeque sauce and 1 tablespoon of chili paste, optional. Spread one teaspoon of the mixture over each muffin and smooth to cover.
- Bake for 20 minutes. The meat thermometer should read 160º. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce, Honey Ginger Green Beans, and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes.
Notes
* GF, Paleo, SCD – use compliant condiments – ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, chili paste. I use unsweetened ketchup and sugar-free BBQ sauce.
** SCD increase almond flour to 3 Tablespoons and omit quinoa
**not following a low carb or grain-free or gluten-free diet – use one slice of rye bread, toasted, cut into small cubes, and omit the quinoa and almond flour
Note: The calorie and nutrition panel is based on grass-fed ground beef 90% lean, and sugar-free condiments
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