The Best Mini Meatloaf Recipe

Name: Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded); ¾ cup milk; ½ cup onion (peeled and very finely chopped); ½ cup quick oats; 1 egg; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1- pound lean ground beef; 2/3 cup ketchup; ½ cup brown sugar (packed); 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

This Mini Meatloaves recipe is quick, easy and basically foolproof. With just a few simple ingredients you can have a hearty, satisfying and delicious dinner on the table in just 35 minutes!

small meatloaf on plate with green beans and mashed potatoes

This Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe is for the meatloaf lovers

If you’re a fan of Traditional Meatloaf, then you are going to love these amazing mini meatloaves. They are so tender, juicy and cheesy on the inside with a sweet and tangy topping.

It’s a super flavorful recipe that not only taste incredible, but it’s also budget friendly and kid-approved! I call that a winning combination! And you can prep them ahead of time for a short cut on busy weeknights.

Why you’ll love this Small Meatloaf Recipe

Easy recipe: This meatloaf recipe is so easy to make; they come together in minutes. You won’t even need specialty mini loaf pans. You just mix everything up, form the loaves on a sheet pan and bake.

Mini loaves: You’ll love the individual portions! Mini meatloaves cook up faster and everyone gets their very own meatloaf.

Super filling: This is a really hearty dish. Oats act as a binder in this recipe, but they also really make this dish super filling and satisfying.

Individual Meatloaf Ingredients

ingredients on white counter: shredded cheddar cheese, ketchup, onion, mustard, milk, salt and pepper, egg, bread crumbs, oats, ground beef

Ground beef – We use lean ground beef. 85/15 ground round works great in this recipe.

Cheddar cheese – Grated cheese is added to the savory meatloaf mixture.

Milk – Adds moisture to the ground beef.

Onion– Sweet onion, like Vidalia or a yellow onion adds so much flavor.

Quick oats and egg – Oats and the egg in this recipe act as a binder to help hold the meatloaf together.

Ketchup – The main ingredient used for the meatloaf sauce.

Brown sugar and yellow mustard – Adds extra flavor to the sauce.

Salt and pepper – Seasons the meatloaf

How to make Mini Meatloaf

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Step One: Make Meatloaf Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, milk, onion, quick oats, egg, salt, and pepper. Add the ground beef and mix in very well.

Step Two: Form into Meatloafs

Form the meatloaf mixture into nine small loaves and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Step Three: Make Glaze and Bake

spooning ketchup glaze on top of mini meatloaf before it's baked

In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spoon the meatloaf sauce over the meatloaves, covering the whole top and sides with the sauce.
Place the sheet pan in the center of the oven. Bake the meatloaves at 350 F for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 160 F on a meat thermometer.
Serve the meatloaves hot.

What to serve with the Best Mini Meatloaf Recipe

A classic meatloaf dinner is usually served with mashed potatoes and some sort of simple green vegetable, like English peas, green beans, brussels sprouts or cabbage.

But if you are feeding a hungry crowd, here are some extra filling side dishes that pair really well with the flavors in this traditional meatloaf recipe:

Mini Meatloaf Recipe Easy Tips

For easy clean-up, the baking sheet can be lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

If you are feeding several little ones, you may want to make these mini loafs even smaller! Using a muffin tin, that you have sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, form the meat mixture into each muffin cup and bake! These will cook faster so be sure and adjust the cooking time. You can make them in a silicone muffin pan to ensure they won’t stick.

One of the keys to keeping meatloaf from being too dense and packed down, is to avoid over mixing. A lot of people will use a wooden spoon to combine the meat mixture, but I have found the best tools you can use are your own two hands. If touching the meat bothers you, wear latex kitchen gloves. Mix the ingredients just until everything comes together well.

One of my all-time favorite tips is always make extra sauce! Meatloaf is so good the next day as a meatloaf sandwich. Slather some of the extra sauce and a little mayo between two slices of crispy bread with a slice of leftover meatloaf! It so good. I usually make extra meat loaf just so I can have enough for these sandwiches!

baked meatloafs on baking sheet with bright red glaze on top

Mini Meatloaf Recipe Easy Variations

Italian: Make this recipe an Italian meatloaf by using parmesan cheese instead of the cheddar and adding a dried Italian seasoning blend. You can also use 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 ground pork for this version.

Mexican: For a Mexican flair, you would just swap out the cheddar for a Mexi-blend cheese and season it with a little chili powder and cumin.

Spicy: If you like a little heat, you could add a finely diced jalapeno pepper to the meat mixture and a little bit of cayenne pepper to the sauce.

Cowboy style: Add in some sauteed bell pepper and pickled jalapenos, then top them with barbecue sauce instead of the ketchup mixture.

Low sugar version: You can use sugar free ketchup and a brown sugar substitute, like Swerve Brown.

Lighter version: If you are looking for a lean meat to use for this recipe, you could use ground turkey or ground chicken. But because they are both lean proteins, you’ll need to add an extra egg to help hold the meatloaf together as it bakes.

Storing Individual Meatloaf

Store leftovers covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

How to reheat mini meatloaf

To reheat mini meatloaf, follow these simple steps:

Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the meatloaf.
Wrap in foil: Place mini meatloafs on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil. This will help retain moisture and prevent it from drying out during reheating.
Place on a baking sheet: Arrange the foil-wrapped mini meatloaves on a baking sheet. This makes it easier to handle and prevents any drips from making a mess in your oven.
Reheat in the oven: Put the baking sheet with the wrapped meatloaves into the preheated oven. Depending on the size of the mini meatloaves, they will generally take around 15-20 minutes to reheat thoroughly. Check for an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are heated all the way through.
Serve: Once heated through, carefully remove the foil-wrapped mini meatloaves from the oven, unwrap them, and serve immediately.

Small Meatloaf Recipe FAQs

What is the Secret to Moist Meatloaf?

By adding milk and egg to the mixture, they work hand in hand to ensure your meat loaf stays moist. The ketchup mixture topping also helps keep meatloaf moist by creating a protective shield over it while it bakes.

Why Does my Meatloaf Fall Apart?

Usually, over baking meatloaf causes it to crumble. But also, not using a binder like bread crumbs, or in this case quick oats, can result in your meatloaf falling apart.