Ground Beef
$2.38per plate
Prep
15 min
Ground Beef · Mini Meatloaf
Mini Meatloaf
A muffin tin turns one batch of meatloaf mix into eight individually portioned mini loaves that bake in about 25 minutes instead of the hour a full loaf needs. Same juicy interior and sweet glazed top as a classic meatloaf, just faster and already divided into freezer-ready portions, for about $1.75 a plate.
$1.75per plate
Estimated recipe total
$13.96 · serves 8
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Serves
8
1 How to make it
1
Soak the breadcrumbs
Heat the oven to 375 F and grease 8 cups of a standard muffin tin. Stir the breadcrumbs and milk together in a large bowl and let them sit for 5 minutes. This softens the crumbs so the loaves stay tender instead of dense.
2
Mix gently
Add the beef, egg, onion, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and thyme to the bowl and mix with your hands just until combined. Overmixing is the top cause of tough meatloaf, so stop as soon as it holds together.
3
Portion into the tin
Divide the mixture evenly into 8 muffin cups, about a scant half cup each, and press the tops flat. Even portions bake at the same rate, so no loaf finishes before the others.
4
Glaze and bake
Stir the ketchup and brown sugar together and spoon a spoonful over each mini loaf. Bake 22 to 25 minutes, until the centers reach 160 F on a thermometer and the tops are set and glossy.
5
Rest before serving
Let the loaves rest in the tin for 5 minutes before lifting them out. This short rest keeps the juices in the meat instead of pooling in the pan.
2 Cheaper ingredient swaps
- Ground turkey for beef. Turkey works well in mini loaves since the smaller size cooks through fast either way. Add a tablespoon of oil to the mix so it stays moist.
- Crushed crackers for breadcrumbs. Saltines or the end of any cracker box work measure for measure and use up what is already open in the pantry.
- BBQ sauce for the glaze. A half bottle already in the fridge door works in place of the ketchup and brown sugar mix. Skip the sugar since BBQ sauce is usually sweet enough on its own.
- Silicone muffin pan instead of metal. A silicone pan releases the loaves cleanly with no greasing needed, which is worth it if you make mini meatloaf often.
3 Budget tips
- The same 2 pounds of beef that makes one classic meatloaf turns into 8 individual portions here instead of 6 slices, which stretches the batch a little further for the same total cost.
- Freeze the extra loaves individually wrapped, and dinner for one is ready in a microwave in a couple minutes on a night nobody wants to cook.
- Buy ground beef in the 3 pound family pack. What this recipe does not use freezes raw for the next batch.
4 Storage, freezing & reheating
Fridge
Refrigerate cooked mini meatloaves in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze the baked loaves individually wrapped, or in a single layer until solid then bagged together, for up to 3 months. They also freeze well raw and unbaked, ready to go straight into the oven from frozen with about 10 extra minutes.
Reheating
Reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low with a spoonful of water for about 5 minutes, or microwave at half power so the edges do not dry out.
5 Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
290
Protein
20g
Fat
18g
Carbs
13g
Estimates per mini loaf, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not a substitute for medical advice.
6 Frequently asked questions
How long do mini meatloaves take to bake?
About 22 to 25 minutes at 375 F, compared to 55 to 60 minutes for a full-size loaf. The smaller shape means the center cooks through much faster, so check at 20 minutes the first time you make them.
Can I freeze mini meatloaf?
Yes, both baked and unbaked. Baked loaves reheat from frozen in a low oven or microwave, and unbaked loaves can go straight into the oven from frozen with about 10 extra minutes of bake time.
Do I need a muffin tin, or can I use a different pan?
A muffin tin gives the most even individual portions, but a rimmed baking sheet with the mixture shaped into small mounds by hand works too. Just watch the bake time, since freeform shapes vary more than muffin cups.
How is the price per plate figured?
About $13.96 for the batch of 8 mini loaves, which is roughly $1.75 each. The 2 pounds of beef is most of the cost, so buying it on sale is what moves the number the most.
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, Budget Plates may earn from qualifying purchases.
- 9x13 baking dish. A 9x13 dish is the standard size for casseroles and baked pasta, so one dish feeds the whole table. Best for casseroles, baked pasta, stuffed peppers, and baked oatmeal.
- Mixing bowls set. A set of nesting bowls handles prep, mixing, and marinades without dirtying every dish in the house. Best for mixing meatball and patty mixtures, tossing ingredients, and holding prepped components.
- Measuring cups and spoons set. A basic set of measuring cups and spoons keeps amounts consistent, which keeps budget recipes reliable. Best for rice, liquids, and any recipe where the ratio matters.
- Instant-read meat thermometer. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness, so lean or cheap cuts stay juicy instead of overcooking. Best for chicken, pork, and meatloaf, where a few degrees decides juicy or dry.
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