Rating: 3.85
(33)

Mini Meatloaves

June 8, 2026

Mini Meatloaves are a delicious and convenient version of the classic comfort food favorite. By dividing the meat mixture into individual portions, these mini loaves cook faster, serve easily, and offer plenty of flavor in every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep, Mini Meatloaves deliver all the hearty goodness of traditional meatloaf without the long cooking time.

One of the biggest advantages of making mini meatloaves is their shorter baking time. Because they are smaller than a standard loaf, they cook more evenly and develop a flavorful crust on the outside while remaining juicy and tender inside. They are also easy to customize with different seasonings, toppings, and side dishes.

To prepare Mini Meatloaves, start by combining ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, finely diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and your favorite herbs. Fresh parsley and a touch of paprika add extra flavor, while breadcrumbs help create a tender texture. Mix the ingredients gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat, which can make the meatloaves dense.

Shape the mixture into small individual loaves and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a lightly greased muffin tin. Using a muffin tin creates perfectly portioned meatloaves and makes serving even easier.

For the classic glaze, mix ketchup, brown sugar, and a small amount of mustard. Spread the glaze generously over each mini loaf before baking. As the meatloaves cook, the glaze caramelizes slightly, creating a sweet and savory topping that complements the rich beef flavor.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Allow the meatloaves to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Mini Meatloaves pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, mac and cheese, or a fresh salad. They also make excellent leftovers and can be reheated for quick lunches throughout the week.

This recipe is ideal for meal prep because individual portions are easy to store and freeze. Whether you’re feeding a family or preparing meals ahead of time, Mini Meatloaves offer convenience without sacrificing flavor.

Tender, hearty, and packed with comforting homemade goodness, Mini Meatloaves are a simple yet satisfying meal that never goes out of style. They’re a modern take on a classic recipe that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Mini Meatloaves
Mini Meatloaves
3.85 from 33 votes
Mini Meatloaves are individual portions of seasoned ground meat baked until tender and juicy, then finished with a savory-sweet glaze. They’re easy to make, cook faster than a full loaf, and are perfect for a weeknight dinner served with mashed potatoes, vegetables, or a simple salad.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 80/20 preferred
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs plain or seasoned
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup ketchup for glaze
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar for glaze
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar for glaze

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a muffin tin.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Divide the mixture into 4 to 6 portions and shape into mini loaves. Place them on the prepared baking sheet or into the muffin tin.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Spoon or brush the glaze over each mini meatloaf.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 31gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 820mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 18mg
Calories: 410kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, dinner, Weeknight
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar shavonda.wiegand64 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly, but mine came out a bit dry. Maybe too much breading?

  2. User avatar alton.littel13 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe but mine turned out a bit dry. Maybe I overcooked them? Need more moisture next time.

  3. User avatar steve_maga says:

    5 stars
    Make it now! So good and easy to prep. Perfect for weeknight dinners!

  4. 3 stars
    Very easy to make, but I forgot the egg… Oops! Still tasted okay.

  5. User avatar rex.mann15 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly, but it turned out kinda dry. I think it needs more moisture?

  6. User avatar isreal.torphy31 says:

    4 stars
    I’m skeptical about the ketchup glaze. Seems weird, right? But surprisingly, it was pretty good!

  7. User avatar dotty.rath51 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t like thyme, so I left that out. Still tasted fine, I guess.

    1. User avatar dorathy.bahringer91 says:

      5 stars
      Thyme or no thyme, these mini meatloaves are a hit! Glad you enjoyed it!

  8. User avatar kathern.kuhic says:

    4 stars
    I really liked the glaze! Made it taste so good!!

    1. User avatar bethanie.brown1955 says:

      5 stars
      I agree! The glaze is what makes it so special! I will definitely make it again.

    2. User avatar walton.luettgen58 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, the glaze was too sweet for me. Like, y’all really liked it? 🤔

  9. User avatar matilde.stiedemann28 says:

    4 stars
    Why mini? Just make one big meatloaf! Lol. But the taste was good.

  10. User avatar ladonna.reinger says:

    2 stars
    Can I use turkey instead of beef? I wanna try healthier options.

  11. User avatar Restless Draugr says:

    3 stars
    I gotta say, not a fan of meatloaf usually. But these were alright. At least they’re mini!

  12. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    5 stars
    These mini meatloaves are fantastic! They got eaten so fast, I didn’t even get a chance to take a picture. Will definitely be making again!

  13. User avatar jack.gutmann says:

    5 stars
    Made these for a potluck and they were a hit! Everyone asked for the recipe. Yum!

    1. User avatar Loonquawl and Phouchg says:

      5 stars
      These look so good! Can’t wait to try them myself. Thanks for sharing!

    2. User avatar elenore.oberbrunner2026 says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know, mini meatloaves? Sounds kinda weird. Just make a big one instead!

  14. User avatar melania.quigley says:

    2 stars
    Not my favorite. I usually prefer larger meatloafs! These just didn’t feel right.

  15. 5 stars
    So easy! I threw in some cheese and it turned out amazing! Will definitely do again! 😄

  16. User avatar sheri.dickinson12 says:

    1 star
    Meatloaf is just plain bad. Why would anyone eat this? 🤮

  17. User avatar vincenzo.feil84 says:

    5 stars
    These mini meatloaves are fantastic! My kids loved them, and they were easy to make. 🤩

  18. User avatar Pepe C. Cola says:

    4 stars
    So easy! My kids loved them, and I love how quick they are to make. Bonus points for fewer dishes!

    1. User avatar Lintilla says:

      5 stars
      Glad to hear it! My kids won’t eat anything but chicken nuggets, so this might be a game changer for us.

  19. User avatar anthony.harvey9 says:

    5 stars
    So simple! My husband would not stop eating them, we will definitely make again.

  20. 5 stars
    These r really good!! I made them for my friends and everyone loved it.

  21. User avatar eddie.breitenberg18 says:

    4 stars
    Is it weird that I thought these tasted better the next day? I think they just need to sit for a bit.

  22. User avatar Thanatos says:

    5 stars
    These mini meatloaves are fantastic! My kids love them.

  23. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    4 stars
    Mmmm, meatloaf. Reminds me of my mama’s cookin’. Although, she never used apple cider vinegar, not sure if that’s necessary.

    1. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

      4 stars
      I’ve never heard of using apple cider vinegar in meatloaf! Ketchup and brown sugar are my go-to. But who knows, it could be good!

  24. User avatar ronald.koch1994 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about the ketchup on top, but wow it actually tastes great! 🍅👍

  25. User avatar charline.heller says:

    3 stars
    Too much onion for my taste. Next time I will reduce it, but overall it wasn’t bad.

  26. User avatar shane.mann says:

    5 stars
    Tastes like I was in a restaurant, yum!!

3.85 from 33 votes
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