Mini Meatloaf with Sweet and Spicy Glaze Recipe
This Mini Meatloaf recipe offers a delicious, individual-sized twist on the classic meatloaf. Made with lean ground beef or turkey, flavorful spices, and a tangy homemade sauce, these mini meatloaves are perfect for easy dinners or meal prep. Topped with a savory-sweet sauce, they bake to juicy perfection and serve as a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 mini meatloaves
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey (680 grams)
- 2/3 cup panko bread crumbs or regular breadcrumbs (100 grams)
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped (70 grams)
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Meatloaf Sauce
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (73 grams)
- 1/2 cup ketchup (120 grams)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the mini meatloaves.
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey with panko bread crumbs, chopped onion, barbecue sauce, mustard, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and the lightly beaten egg. Mix thoroughly but gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Mini Meatloaves: Divide the meat mixture into small portions and shape each into a mini loaf form. Place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
- Prepare Meatloaf Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and ground nutmeg until smooth and well combined.
- Apply Sauce: Spoon or brush a generous amount of the prepared sauce over each mini meatloaf to coat the tops evenly.
- Bake: Place the meatloaves in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the meat is cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the mini meatloaves from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the meatloaf moist.
Notes
- Using lean ground turkey is a lighter alternative to beef without sacrificing flavor.
- Panko breadcrumbs add a lighter texture but regular breadcrumbs work well too.
- Adjust chili powder to taste if you prefer less or more spice.
- Make sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Mini meatloaves freeze well; cool completely before freezing for up to 3 months.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf is safely cooked through.