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    Home » Recipes » Freezer Recipes

    Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin

    Published: Apr 5, 2012 · Modified: Mar 22, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

    375.8K shares
    • 1.6K

    Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin is perfect for portion control and cooks in only 20 minutes! I will never use a loaf pan again!

    Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin is the perfect way to cook meatloaf.  My husband LOVES meatloaf, and it is a super easy meal to prepare however when prepared in a loaf pan it takes so long. It heats up the house and often times I have to worry about if it is "done" in the middle or not.  When I mentioned it to my mom, she reminded me that she used to make meatloaf this way when we were little to save cooking time (always listen to your mom).   I knew immediately by using meatloaf in a muffin tin my meatloaf worries were over.

    Instead of using a loaf pan use a muffin tin! It cuts your baking time down to only 20 minutes (bake at 400 degrees) AND best of all it is perfect for portion control! It is not always easy to cut traditional meatloaf into large slices but with this method you can really watch your portion size and serve them nicely.  You can easily use them later in the week or for leftovers.  I found that there was little fat that rose to the top that I was able to remove with a paper towel 🙂

    Another tip is to use plastic gloves when you prepare your meatloaf.  It really cuts down on the clean up!  You can also flash freeze the muffin cups (raw) and then bake them when you are ready. A great freezer cooking technique.  Read this post on how to freeze meatloaf.

    You can use ANY meatloaf recipe for this process.  Here are several that we love!

    Meatloaf Recipes:

    Melissa's Meatloaf Recipe

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf

    Gluten Free Meatloaf

    Easy Crockpot Meatloaf

    Paleo Meatloaf

    Meatloaf 101 Recipe 

    Italian Meatloaf Recipe

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    Melissa Jennings

    Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tammy

      May 29, 2012 at 12:47 pm

      I did repin this ty.... 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 27, 2012 at 11:07 am

        Awesome!

        Reply
    2. Bridgette

      September 21, 2012 at 3:22 am

      When I make meatloaf I used a pan that lets the grease drain..what do u use in the muffin tin to let it drain?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 27, 2012 at 11:06 am

        I use 93/7 beef so I don't have much drainage. I did try this and it works really well. You can also flash freeze the muffin cups (raw) then bake them when you are ready.

        Reply
        • Rebecca

          December 17, 2013 at 4:09 pm

          Once flash frozen...do you thaw before cooking? I did this and now am a little iffy on how to cook them. Please help LOL

          Reply
          • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

            December 17, 2013 at 8:36 pm

            I do thwaw before baking 🙂 It keeps them moist!

            Reply
      • Christine Johnson

        October 20, 2012 at 5:07 am

        You *could* dedicate a muffin tin to mini-meatloaves and poke a hole in the bottom of each one, on the same edge, so if you tilted them slightly in a pan in the oven, the grease would come out that way. Seems like a lot of clean-up tho. I've never found that getting grease off of meat loaves or cooked meat was difficult--take them out individually and drain them on paper towel or clean newsprint. That should work too.

        Reply
        • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

          November 01, 2012 at 6:24 pm

          Good idea - I found the "fat actually rose to the top and I was able to remove it easily with a paper towel. Hope that helps!

          Reply
    3. Trish

      October 04, 2012 at 11:02 pm

      Just making sure...you cook "meatloaf muffins" at 400 for 15 minutes?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 01, 2012 at 6:30 pm

        Yes, 15 - 20 minutes 🙂 at 400 degrees

        Reply
    4. Anon

      October 13, 2012 at 8:44 pm

      Since you originally found this on Pinterest then you should be linking to the original Pin not taking credit for it on your own blog.

      Reply
      • Christine Johnson

        October 20, 2012 at 5:04 am

        Since she said she "found" it, she's not taking credit for it. (This isn't a term paper! Lighten up!)

        Reply
        • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

          October 26, 2012 at 10:20 pm

          Thanks Christine 🙂

          Reply
          • Sheila

            June 16, 2021 at 3:47 pm

            I am going to make the cupcake meatloaf. Thin I am going to fast freeze them. Can u out then in the crockpot to cook frozen.

            Reply
        • Michelle

          October 31, 2012 at 12:07 pm

          Thanks for the giggle Christine! So true, it's a sharing website for goodness sake.

          Reply
          • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

            November 01, 2012 at 6:29 pm

            My Mom actually used to make these for us back in the 70's. LOL

            Reply
    5. Elli

      October 27, 2012 at 8:44 pm

      I have seen these mini meatloaves a few places...also in the deli at Raley's grocery store...so no worries on who came up with the idea.
      I top mine with mashed potato 'frosting' and my daughter calls them meatloaf cupcakes. Drizzle brown gravy on top and supply a vegetable. Wonderful dinner!

      Reply
      • Elli

        October 27, 2012 at 8:50 pm

        Oh yeah, I bake them, with the mashed potatoes on top, at 350* for 20-25 minutes.

        Reply
        • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

          November 01, 2012 at 6:27 pm

          That sounds so yummy!

          Reply
          • Elli

            November 01, 2012 at 8:54 pm

            Our family loves them! Leftovers are really easy to re-heat either in the oven, the toaster oven, or the microwave, and they are the perfect size for a lunch at work, and with an added vegetable you have a hot homemade meal that makes a nice change from sandwiches.

            Reply
        • roxy

          November 01, 2012 at 7:00 pm

          Do you use instant potatoes?

          Reply
          • Elli

            November 01, 2012 at 8:40 pm

            If I have real potatoes, I use them, but often I do use instant because it's convenient.

            Reply
            • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

              January 19, 2013 at 9:55 pm

              Gotta try that!

    6. roxy

      November 01, 2012 at 4:00 pm

      I can't seem to find the recipe.. 🙁

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 01, 2012 at 6:28 pm

        You can use any meatloaf recipe - You bake for 15 - 20 minutes at 400 degree's. I have a link to my recipe in the post.

        Reply
    7. roxy

      November 01, 2012 at 6:59 pm

      Oh okay! Great! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 01, 2012 at 11:19 pm

        You are welcome 🙂 I made these tonight 🙂 So amazing to take only 20 minutes or less 🙂

        Reply
    8. Krystle

      November 03, 2012 at 9:04 am

      If you freeze the mini meatloafs what would the cooking time change to?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 03, 2012 at 8:52 pm

        Double - you would need to thaw them prior to cooking for the best results (not drying them out). You can thaw them out in your fridge for 24 hours then bake by placing them back in a muffin cup.

        Reply
    9. Laura

      November 04, 2012 at 11:51 pm

      Can you tell me how the flavor held up in these compared to a full meatloaf?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 08, 2012 at 11:36 pm

        Delicious! We all loved it!

        Reply
    10. Kimberley

      December 01, 2012 at 11:41 am

      I had already pinned the muffin tin meatloaf recipe previously and we have had it several times. GREAT for kids! Perfect portion sizes.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 19, 2013 at 9:56 pm

        Yes perfect for Portion control and the kids (and adults) 🙂

        Reply
    11. Heather

      December 03, 2012 at 3:40 pm

      Have you ever tried freezing them after you cook them? So you can jut pull them out, defrost and eat!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 19, 2013 at 9:57 pm

        I did but they got really dry 🙁 I would suggest freezing raw then thawing and baking.

        Reply
    12. Tina Gadd

      December 04, 2012 at 7:45 pm

      I love the meatloaf muffin idea. I repinned it on Pinterest 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 19, 2013 at 9:56 pm

        Thanks Tina!

        Reply
    13. Aundrea Martin

      December 10, 2012 at 1:44 pm

      I pinned this recipe to my Pinterest board for the Kenmore Freezer contest!

      Reply
      • Binnie. Ransom

        February 16, 2013 at 7:15 pm

        I pin rest this I'm going to try them

        Reply
    14. Lillie McEntyre

      December 14, 2012 at 10:50 pm

      Just repinned...this one sounds like it will be a regular at our house. Great recipe and another entry for the Kenmore Freezer...thanks.

      Reply
    15. Chris Dixon

      December 16, 2012 at 1:38 am

      Pinned Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin.Love this unique idea.

      Reply
    16. Elizabeth Wegmann

      December 16, 2012 at 8:40 pm

      Delicious! Thank you for sharing this! Hoping to win that Kenmore Freezer 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 19, 2013 at 9:57 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    17. Alicia

      January 22, 2013 at 10:02 am

      My grandma (always listen to her too!) taught me to put 2 slices of dry, day old bread in the pan before putting in the ground beef when making meatloaf. The bread soaks up the grease, and is easily removed after it is cooked. I imagine you could use a biscuit cutter for bread slices to fit in the muffin tin for grease soaking.

      Reply
    18. Sheila

      January 22, 2013 at 11:48 am

      Could someone tell me how much a 1/2 bottle of chili sauce is? The jar I have is huge and I am not sure how much to use!
      This is tonight's dinner so if someone has the answer, that would be great!
      thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 03, 2013 at 9:15 am

        Heinz brand 🙂

        Reply
    19. Christine

      January 23, 2013 at 7:17 pm

      We make these ALL the time after seeing Rachel Ray make them a few years back. We just had them for dinner tonight. Funny story though I dropped a few to my dad one day and he only heard me say "muffins" missed me say the meatloaf part. Later that day with a nice cup of tea he cut one in half slathered on some butter and jam and then proceeded to eat it thinking I was a bad cook. 🙂 he knows the truth now and said "oh...for meatloaf they were good!"

      Reply
    20. Terri

      January 24, 2013 at 6:20 am

      Did you have a recipe for the meatloaf in the tins or is it just a suggestion for anyone's favorite recipe?

      Reply
    21. Sybil

      January 26, 2013 at 4:20 am

      Just came across this on pinterest and wanted to add a note. I have used muffins pans for the mini-meatloaf and it works great but clean up is a bear. Then I discovered the Pampered Chef prep cups and I never looked back. They are made of glass so clean up is a breeze. They also have plastic storage lids so you can refeigerate left overs!

      Reply
    22. Stephanie S.

      June 09, 2013 at 5:50 pm

      I made a similar version of these last week, and they're a huge hit with my family. I use a ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar glaze topping and it is delicious!

      Reply
    23. Michelle

      June 10, 2013 at 11:58 pm

      How much meatloaf do you put in the muffin pan?

      Reply
    24. a

      July 14, 2013 at 3:33 pm

      I prefer to cook mine on a cookie sheet or other flat sheet. Line w/ foil and shape single serve flat loaves. It has the same effect on cook time and portion size. But I think the clean up is easier since muffin tins are a pain to clean if not done right away.

      Reply
    25. Drayanna Lambert

      August 22, 2013 at 10:10 am

      We use to put a slice of bread in the cup. Pat it in and then fill with the meat loaf. We always cut the crust off the bread.

      Reply
    26. Lisa

      August 23, 2013 at 6:20 pm

      Thanks for this great recipe! I might have to add some spice to half of them (the half for the adults) of course!

      Reply
    27. lizb1979

      September 01, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      Made this EXACTLY as directed except added some bell pepper from the garden. DELISH!!! My husband who is quite the meatloaf fan gave this two thunbs up and said it is his new favorite!!! Served with mashed taters and green beans, what could be better??? THANK YOU!!!

      Reply
    28. Kathy Kelly

      September 11, 2013 at 12:19 pm

      I have been making these for years. I like to make a basic meat loaf recipe and divide it into portions. One I leave one as is, one I add taco seasoning and the last I add Italian seasoning. I roll each into 4 balls and place in the muffin tin. I top the basic with a little catchup and brown sugar, the taco with a little salsa, and the Italian with a little spaghetti sauce. I bake mine and then divide and freeze. This is a great way for some one cooking for 1 or 2 to use a pound of hamburger and still have some variety.

      Reply
    29. Katie

      December 15, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      If you freeze them, how do you cook them? What time/ temp etc? Thanks!

      Reply
    30. FLO

      April 18, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      MY MOM USED TO MAKE MEATLOAF THIS WAY BECAUSE US KIDS WOULDN'T EAT ONIONS ETC. THIS WAY SHE MADE A FEW PLAIN MINI MEATLOAFS FOR US & THEN THE REST OF THE GROUND BEEF GOT DOCTORED UP FOR HER & MY DAD. SAVED A LOT OF WHINING AT THE DINNER TABLE!

      Reply
    31. steph

      April 27, 2014 at 1:02 pm

      Awesome!! My husband said this is now one of his favorites!

      Reply
    32. Rachel

      May 01, 2014 at 12:31 am

      I do this too! I always make enough for multiple meals and freeze them once cooked. Once frozen, I store them in a zip bag.

      I also freeze tomato sauce in muffin tins and bag the resulting pucks. I "muffin" of tomato sauce is enough for a spaghetti lunch for dh or two servings as part of dinner.

      Reply
    33. aprila

      May 01, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      such a good idea. I love how it would help with portion control. Thanks for linking up at Tell Me About It Tuesday. We hope you hop over and share with us again next week.

      Reply
    34. Erin @ Making Memories

      May 02, 2014 at 1:18 pm

      We cook our meatloaf in muffin pans also. So much quicker and perfect for the freezer.

      Reply
    35. Natasha in Oz

      May 02, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      What a great idea! I'm pinning this for sure. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

      My weekly Say G'Day linky party starts this weekend so please pop by and join in if you have a minute!

      Best wishes,
      Natasha in Oz

      Reply
    36. Lori Hart

      May 06, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      I just love the versatility of this. Each family member can create their own mini-meatloaf if they want. I would put chopped olives in mine and I know hubby would load his up with bacon Found your recipe at Melt in your Mouth Mondays. I am one of the hostesses of Tasty Tuesdays and would love you to stop by and link up this recipe if you have not yet already. Here is the link http://bit.ly/1g5mVQa
      Lori

      Reply
    37. Joanne T Ferguson

      May 06, 2014 at 11:43 pm

      G'day! Fun recipe which reminds me of childhood!
      Viewed as part of the Tasty Breads from The Hearth and Soul Hop
      Cheers! Joanne

      Reply
    38. Lila

      May 09, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Great idea...I love meatloaf!

      Reply
    39. Miz Helen

      May 12, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week!
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    40. Patricialynn

      January 31, 2015 at 5:54 am

      I will make this for sure...since hubby passed, it's hard cooking for just one..I can make and freeze then use one or two at a time 🙂

      Reply
    41. Darcy

      November 06, 2016 at 7:40 pm

      How full do you fill the muffin tins?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 07, 2016 at 6:12 am

        2/3 full

        Reply
        • Darcy

          November 07, 2016 at 8:44 pm

          Thank you can't wait to try them.

          Reply

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