Description

This mini meatloaf recipe is a quick and convenient twist on a classic comfort food. Perfectly portioned for six servings, these individual meatloaves combine ground beef and pork with flavorful seasonings and a sweet brown sugar glaze. They bake evenly and quickly, making them ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Serve with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini for a complete, hearty meal.

Ingredients

Meatloaf

1 pound 80/20 ground beef
½ pound ground pork
¾ cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs, beaten
¾ cup whole milk
1 ¼ teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 tablespoons ketchup (for mixing into meat)

Brown Sugar Glaze

1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon water

For Serving (Optional)

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Broccolini

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet to prevent sticking and to catch any drippings.
Combine Meat and Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, and breadcrumbs using your hands until evenly mixed.
Whisk Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, sea salt, Italian seasoning, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until fully combined.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the egg mixture and 3 tablespoons of ketchup into the bowl with the meat mixture. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until fully combined, ensuring the meat is well seasoned and moist.
Prepare the Brown Sugar Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 1 tablespoon ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon water until smooth and fully combined.
Shape Mini Meatloaves: Using your hands, form the meat mixture into six oval-shaped mini loaves, about 3 inches wide and 4 inches long each. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared sheet pan.
Apply Glaze: Brush the brown sugar glaze generously over the tops of each mini meatloaf to add sweetness and a caramelized finish.
Bake: Bake the mini meatloaves in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F as checked with an instant-read thermometer, ensuring they are cooked through but still juicy.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest briefly. Serve the mini meatloaves hot alongside roasted garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini for a complete meal.

Notes

Using a meat thermometer ensures you achieve the perfect doneness without overcooking.
For freezing, shape and glaze the meatloaves, then freeze on the baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag; bake from frozen, adding about 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option, though cooking times may vary slightly.
Breadcrumbs can be gluten-free if needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
The glaze can be adjusted for sweetness or tanginess by varying the brown sugar or ketchup amounts.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American