Description
These Stuffed Meatloaf Bites are the ultimate comfort food! Made in a muffin tin with ground beef, hidden cheese, and a sweet ketchup glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. Kid-approved and freezer-friendly!
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Bites:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork), 80/20 recommended
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- ⅓ cup milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 large egg
- ½ small onion, finely grated or minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but so good!)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or oregano + basil)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (for stuffing)
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Topping Glaze:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
Substitution Notes:
- Ground meat: Turkey or chicken work great for a leaner option
- Breadcrumbs: Crushed crackers, oats, or gluten-free breadcrumbs all work
- Milk: Any milk or even beef broth will do
- Cheese: Try pepper jack for a kick, or Gruyere for something fancy!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-count muffin tin with cooking spray or line with paper liners. I prefer greasing because you get those nice crispy edges!
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs have absorbed all that liquid and look like a soft paste. This step is CRUCIAL for tender bites!
In your large bowl, add the ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan.
Now here’s the important part: use your hands (yes, get in there!) and mix gently until JUST combined. You want everything evenly distributed, but don’t overwork it. Overmixing = tough, dense meatloaf. Think of it like you’re folding ingredients together, not kneading bread dough.
This is the fun part! Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into each muffin cup. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to press down and create a little well in the center, like making a nest.
Drop about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese right into that well. Then take another spoonful of meat mixture and place it on top, gently pressing and sealing the edges so the cheese is completely enclosed. Make sure there are no gaps or the cheese will ooze out (though honestly, even if it does, it’s still delicious!).
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth. Spoon about 1–2 teaspoons of this glaze over the top of each meatloaf bite. Use the back of the spoon to spread it evenly.
Pop the muffin tin in your preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) or when the meat is no longer pink in the center and the tops are nicely caramelized.
Let the bites rest in the tin for about 5 minutes, this helps them firm up and makes them easier to remove.
Notes
- Prevent sticking: Even with spray, I like to let the bites cool for 2–3 minutes, then run a butter knife around each one before popping them out.
- Double the glaze: Some people (like my husband) are glaze FANATICS. Make extra and serve it on the side for dipping.
- Use an ice cream scoop: A large cookie scoop makes portioning the meat mixture so much easier and ensures all your bites are the same size.
- Check for doneness early: Ovens vary! Start checking at 20 minutes to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American