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    Ingredients » Recipes » Beef

    Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf Muffins

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Feb 8, 2019 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Cheddar BBQ meatloaf muffins are mini meatloaves made in a muffin tin and topped with BBQ sauce and cheese. An easy meatloaf recipe for dinner!

    Jump to Recipe -

    mini meatloaf muffins with cheddar cheese and bbq sauce on a plate

     

    Cheddar BBQ meatloaf muffins are mini meatloaves made in a muffin tin and topped with BBQ sauce and lots of cheese. This easy meatloaf recipe is a quick and easy dinner that's ready in 30 minutes, and it's super kid friendly and picky eater approved!

    My entire family loves meatloaf, and it's probably one of the few foods that we all agree on. In fact, that's one of the reasons that this blog happens to be called Meatloaf and Melodrama. The only reason that I don't make meatloaf more often is that it takes a long time to cook, especially since I always make enough for all of us, plus leftovers.

    My middle child, the Monkey, is the one who suggested making meatloaf in a muffin tin. She saw these somewhere -- probably Pinterest -- and asked me to try making them even before Christmas. The idea is anything but new, but I'm usually late to get on board the trendy train, sigh.

    Anyway, I'm always looking for easy ground beef recipes, so I finally got around to trying the easy meatloaf muffins. And, I love how much easier they are than traditional classic meatloaf!

    One of the best things about these little individual meatloaves is that there's no fighting over who got a bigger piece. My kids do this all of the time, and it can really wear you down. My son still talks about the time I gave him five roasted potatoes while his sister got seven! So yeah, this is much better!

    How to make easy mini meatloaf in a muffin tin

    This is a super simple ground beef recipe with just a few ingredients. I just used my favorite easy meatloaf recipe for cheddar BBQ barbecue meatloaf. But, I adjusted the amounts a little bit and pressed the beef in a muffin tin instead of the usual large pan.

    ground beef in muffin tin

    I used lean ground beef, but there was still a lot of juice around the meat, so I sucked it out with a turkey baster - easy peasy! Right before the beef was done, I brushed some barbecue sauce on the tops and crowned the mini meatloaves with shredded cheddar cheese.

    brush bbq sauce on mini meatloaf muffins in muffin tin

    I stuck the pan back into the oven for a few more minutes until the cheese was melted and bubbly.

    mini meatloaf muffins with bbq sauce and cheddar cheese in muffin tin

    They do shrink a little, but it's really not too bad. If you want the portions to be bigger, just pack the meat into the muffin cups  a little higher.

    cheddar bbq meatloaf muffins with mashed potatoes on a white plate

    More easy meatloaf recipes

    • Italian Meatloaf Muffins
    • Instant Pot Meatloaf

    Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf Muffins Recipe

    mini meatloaf muffins with cheddar cheese and bbq sauce on a plate

    Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf Muffins

    Published by Dee
    Cheddar BBQ meatloaf muffins are mini meatloaves made in a muffin tin and topped with BBQ sauce and lots of cheese. This easy meatloaf recipe is a quick and easy dinner that's super kid friendly and picky eater approved!
    4.92 from 12 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 muffins
    Calories 172 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds lean ground beef
    • 1 egg
    • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce any kind, plus more for brushing on muffin tops
    • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
    • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
    • In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together, except for the cheddar cheese, and form into large ball
    • Fill the muffin tin with the meat mixture
    • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, and remove extra juice if desired
    • Brush tops of muffins with barbecue sauce, and sprinkle cheddar cheese over the sauce
    • Return to the oven, and bake until cheese melts and internal temperature is at least 160 degrees, according to meat thermometer

    Video

    Notes

    Variation -- You can use ¼ cup dried breadcrumbs and ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese or ½ cup breadcrumbs to help the meatloaf muffins absorb the juices from the meat if you want.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 401mgPotassium: 297mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 155IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf Muffins recipe

    Serve these little cheddar barbecue meatloaf muffins with roasted potatoes or mashed potatoes and maybe some peas, and your dinner is served. Just remember to give your kids equal portions!

    cheddar-barbecue-meatloaf-muffin-recipe

    I hope you enjoy these easy cheddar BBQ mini meatloaf muffins as much as we do!

    sig%2B1.png

    Recipe has been updated.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah Weber says

      October 19, 2020 at 11:14 am

      can you make these without Parmesan cheese

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 19, 2020 at 11:18 am

        Yes! You can use breadcrumbs if you have that.

    2. Miz Helen says

      February 21, 2019 at 10:11 am

      Congratulations!
      Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week and will be pinned to our Features Board. Thanks so much for sharing with us and hope you are having a great week!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    3. Cathy says

      February 12, 2019 at 9:57 am

      I love everything about these! The flavors...the size...I need to try them!

      Reply
    4. James says

      February 12, 2019 at 6:55 am

      Made these for dinner last night. Simple and delicious. Having the leftovers for lunch today.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 12, 2019 at 2:24 pm

        Thank you so much, James! I'm glad you liked them. 🙂

    5. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      February 11, 2019 at 7:10 pm

      These would disappear in our house!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 12, 2019 at 2:19 pm

        They don't last long in my house! 🙂

    6. Krista says

      February 11, 2019 at 10:06 am

      These muffins sound great! Love them for a weeknight dinner!

      Reply
    7. Steph says

      February 11, 2019 at 8:31 am

      These were so delicious and so easy. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 11, 2019 at 9:15 am

        They are super easy! Thanks, Steph!

    8. Sabrina says

      February 10, 2019 at 9:30 am

      These are so perfect for the kids to get excited about for dinner! So cheesy and delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 11, 2019 at 9:14 am

        Thanks, Sabrina. My kids love these over regular meatloaf!

    9. Catalina says

      February 10, 2019 at 1:19 am

      These meatloaf muffins are such a great idea! Easy and delicious!

      Reply
    10. Brandy O'Neill says

      February 09, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      I could go for this right now! Love the idea of cheddar BBQ Yum!

      Reply
    11. Dee says

      February 08, 2019 at 2:32 pm

      These taste amazing! Absolutely love the flavors5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 09, 2019 at 12:53 pm

        Thanks! It's one of our favorite meals!

    12. Jodi says

      April 19, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Nutritional info please5 stars

      Reply
    13. Miz Helen says

      February 01, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    14. April says

      January 29, 2016 at 11:42 am

      Yum! These sound so good. I could eat a bunch of them lol. I love recipes using muffin pans.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 29, 2016 at 3:58 pm

        Thanks, April. I'm going to try making some more!

    15. Claudia | Gourmet Project says

      January 29, 2016 at 2:05 am

      I think this muffins would be a perfect party food. delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 29, 2016 at 6:23 am

        Thanks! I hadn't thought about party food, but I think you're right!

    16. Linda @ Food Huntress says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      Yes please. Looks delicious and easy to make. Love it!4 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 28, 2016 at 10:03 pm

        Thanks so much, Linda! We like the muffins better than the meatloaf. 🙂

    17. Holly says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:35 pm

      These look perfect to make ahead to warm up for lunch! I have to try this recipe soon!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 28, 2016 at 9:56 pm

        That's one reason why we like them -- they're perfect for leftovers!

    18. Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      These look like an awesome, make-ahead, tasty meal! Every ingredient and flavor puts a smile on my face - will definitely have to make ASAP!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 28, 2016 at 8:13 pm

        Thanks so much, Sarah. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! 🙂

    19. Carol says

      January 24, 2016 at 9:56 am

      Now I'm super-hungry for meatloaf! We really like meatloaf, too, but I've never made them in a muffin pan. That seems like a really good idea for kids.

      Warm hugs,
      Carol

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 24, 2016 at 10:45 am

        The kids love it, but it's also easier to warm up for leftovers this way. 🙂

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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