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Crispy Cheesy Meatloaf Muffins: Easy 30-Min Meal Prep

Crispy Cheesy Meatloaf Muffins - featured image

These bite-sized meatloaf muffins offer the comfort of traditional meatloaf with crispy edges and melted cheese, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup (50g) plain dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Ketchup or BBQ sauce for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin thoroughly.
  2. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and Worcestershire sauce.
  4. Add breadcrumbs, diced onion, minced garlic, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper to the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
  5. Add ground beef and half of the shredded cheese to the bowl. Mix gently by hand or with a fork until just incorporated; do not overmix.
  6. Divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, pressing firmly. Create a small well in the center of each with your thumb.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tops and drizzle with ketchup or BBQ sauce.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes until tops are golden brown and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing and serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep the muffins tender. Let them cool for 5 minutes to allow them to set. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs for almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf muffins, easy dinner, meal prep, ground beef recipes, cheesy meatloaf, quick weeknight meals, family friendly