I just had my “Duh!” moment for the day. Who am I kidding? I will probably have several before it is all said and done. The light bulb came on and I knew what I was going to make. Nothing like last minute, right?!
We are going to have super easy, super delicious, Mini Meatloaves.
Back in the day, when I had time to sit down and watch TV, I was watching the Food Network. Doesn’t that channel ALWAYS make you hungry! Anyhow, I was watching 30 Minute Meals. Rachel Ray had taken meatloaf and put it in a muffin tin. I was in awe. It doesn’t take much 
What a great idea! That makes a comfort food so convenient! There was one downside. I don’t know if she used ground beef with zero fat, but if you try to make meatloaf in a muffin pan it floats in its own fat. Not so lovely!
So, I tweaked her idea a little. I am all for Mini Meatloaves…just not in a muffin pan.
So, here is my version of the quick easy and oh so yummy Mini Meatloaves.
Mini Meatloaves
- 2 lbs Ground Beef (or half ground beef half ground sausage)
- 1 ½ cup Bread Crumbs (Try to make your own..see how here!)
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ¾-1 cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped Bell Pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- Ketchup to top
This couldn’t be easier!
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl mix all of the above ingredients. 
You will need to use your hands to make sure it is mixed well!
Shape Meat mixture into small loaves. Place on a Broiler Pan.
Drizzle each with Ketchup.
Bake for 30 minutes!
Makes 8 mini meatloaves!
This is so good even my pickiest kid loves them. Although, he does pick out the onions, but what kid doesn’t?!
I served with Mashed Potatoes and a Salad!
*Tip*
I always make extra Meatloaf Mix and put it in freezer bags. It is super easy to defrost, shape, and throw in the oven on a busy night!
*Dairy Free*
This recipe is naturally Dairy Free as long as you buy dairy free bread crumbs or make your own.
*Gluten Free*
This recipe is Gluten Free when you make your own Bread Crumbs out of Gluten Free Cereal. GO HERE to see how.
Meal Deal
You guys should know the drill by now, but just in case…..
A big thanks to Michelle at I Heart Publix! Without her I would be broke! JK! She provides me with all of the wonderful coupon match ups every week!
These prices are for the current week at Publix. Your personal cost could and should be less if you use what you have on hand, and have a great stockpile of items!
THE LIST
If you had to purchase everything today here is what you would need!
2 lbs Ground Chuck ($1.99/lb)
2 Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup, 24-oz bot, BOGO $1.75
-$1/2 All You, September 2009 & All You, August 28, 2009
-$2 off Hunt’s Ketchup AND Hebrew National Beef Franks tearpad
2 Fresh Express Salad Blend or Greens or Mix, Assorted Varieties, 4.5 to 12-oz bag, BOGO $3.99
-$.55/2 Fresh Express Blends or Gourmet Cafe from 0-04-09 SS
-$1/1; $2/2; $.55/1 Tearpads
-$2 off 2 Fresh Express Salad Blends & Marzetti Dressing Tearpad
3 Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, Assorted Varieties, 4 or 4.1-oz pouch, .50¢
-$1/3 PRINT
1 Bread Crumbs $1.75 (estimate)
————————————————
Your Total would be $10.42
Divide By 4
$2.60 per person PLUS…
an extra bottle of Ketchup, extra bag of salad, and 2 extra Idahoan Potatoes!
Your money really goes further because 8 mini meatloaves will feed more than 4 people!
I linked up at
Delightfully Glazed Gluten Free Doughnut Holes
Fiesta Stuffed Mini Peppers
Strawberry Salsa
Zucchini and Corn Medley
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
About Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts
Hi Amanda! It’s Catrina, the other half of Reaping Your Harvest,lol. I have started to check out your meal deals and they are great. I am for sure going to try this one….hoping the kids will like it more since it’s smaller??? Thanks for the idea!
Catrina,
So glad to meet you!
The mini meatloaves are always a hit at my house. They also satisfy the need for everybody to have the end piece. They are all end pieces! Look forward to blogging together!
Amanda
I have a very similar recipe for meatloaf. I use saltines or Ritz crackers instead of bread crumbs. I also put tomato paste on top and sprinkle it with parmesan cheese before baking. It is delicious! Another little hint is to spray your muffin pan with Pam and bake the meatloaf in there. It gets done quicker and it’s already in serving sizes.
Dana,
I always make my own bread crumbs out of Corn Flakes and some Italian seasoning. They turn out so good! My husband likes the tomato paste on top. I am a ketchup girl. As for the cheese….it does make them good. Unfortunately my daughter is allergic to milk, so that isn’t an option at my house. I have never had that great of luck with the muffin pan. They get done quick on the broiler pan too. The whole pan only take 30 min! Thanks for reading! Always enjoy hearing everyone’s variations!
Amanda
Love this meal. I made it for my brother who is divorced and working long hours. He has a 20 year old son who is a agoraphobic and picky eater. He just called and said they loved it. They have enough leftovers for another meal. Thanks Amanda for a great idea that is easy and quick to make.
Delish! Based on what we had on hand, we figured it was just under $2.00 per person. My husband loved it.
so delicious. I used a little barbecue sauce on top instead of ketchup because I ran out and it was really good. this was my first time making meatloaf in a long time just to say the least my kids are 5 and 7 and they never had it. Had no idea it was so easy. Thanku
That is almost identical to my meatloaf recipe and I also make the little loaves (although I do use the tin…never thought to just make balls, LOL…thanks). I wanted to add that I add a little honey on top with the ketchup and then smear together on the top. Gives the meat a little sweet kick that is really delicious!
Ohh…Honey sounds good! Hey, I made them in the muffin pan myself until recently. It is funny the things we don’t think of. Thanks for the honey tip!
Amanda
awww! Cute! What a fun idea! BTW, I refuse to watch Food Network because it makes me hungry. The only time I can watch it is after a big meal when I have no desire to be eating!
Mini meatloaves are in the oven! Now to make mashed potatoes to go with!
Hey Amanda,
Try this the next time you make mini-meatloaves:
- Bake meatloaf meat in cupcake tins
- Spread your sauce on the top then…
- Top your “cupcakes” with “frosting” (i.e. pipe on some mashed potatoes)
- Add “sprinkles” (shredded cheese)
Kids and husbands go nuts over these things!
(I’ll see if I can send you the pics from my FB page)
How cute! Now, do you find that the grease from the meatloaf stays in the cup? Just wondering, cause I had this problem before.