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Home » Mama’s Cheesy Meatloaf Minis

Mama’s Cheesy Meatloaf Minis

By Kristina LaRue, RDN 12 Comments

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Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis in the house because my mama is known for her cheesy meatloaf + perfectly whipped mashed potatoes. Mama knows best.

ANNNND even though I grew up on southern food, this is a healthy living site so I had to sneak in a bit more veg to up its health game, sorry mama.

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

These Cheesy Meatloaf Minis are

loaded with veggies

high on the flavor flav

made in mini form

and are freezer friendly!

Heck yes, friends.

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

These cheesy meatloaf minis freeze and reheat well. Meal preppers, y’all hear that?

Are you a sauce person? Do you like a yummy sweet tomato sauce on top of your meatloaf? My hand is held up high, but my mama would disagree. We didn’t grow up with sauce on our cheesy meatloaf buttt the hubs did and I actually like it with a sauce.

We are some sauce people over here.

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

So we are living our best life and add a slightly sweet tomato sauce on top of our cheesy meatloaf minis.

Get it, gurl! (insert moon walking/dancing gif here).

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

But really guys, I hope you go and make this meal for your fam jam, or for yo’self and freeze the leftovers because that cheese right there…. is SOOO worth every bite.

You would never know there’s onions, peppers, carrots and zucchini in this recipe but IMO you should not skip them because they keep the meatloaf super moist and of course more nutritious too.

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

I’d love to know, are you a sauce person like us or do keep it clean like my mama? If you like sweet tomato sauce on top of your meatloaf, let me know in the comments or hit reply to this email.

And pretty please if you make this recipe or any of the other recipes on my site, rate the recipe, leave your feedback below in the comments, and tag me @KristinaLaRueRD on Instagram! 

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

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Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

Mama’s Cheesy Meatloaf Minis


★★★★★

5 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Kristina LaRue
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 12 meatloaf minis 1x
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Description

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that’s gluten free.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced bell pepper
  • 2 cloves (1 teaspoon minced) garlic
  • 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup finely shredded zucchini
  • 4 ounces cheddar, small diced
  • 1 cup diced gluten free bread
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • for sauce
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; coat 12 count muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Over medium high heat, sauté onions, bell pepper and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
  3. In large bowl, gently mix together cooked onions and bell pepper with beef, carrots, zucchini, cheese, bread, tomato paste, egg, and seasonings.
  4. Roll mixture into 12 small meatloafs and place in muffin tin; bake for 15 minutes.
  5. In small bowl, mix together sauce by combining maple syrup, mustard and tomato paste.
  6. Add tablespoon sauce on top of each meatloaf and broil 5 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @loveandzest on Instagram and hashtag it #loveandzest

Cheesy Meatloaf Minis made in the muffin tin and full of hidden veggies. Freezer friendly, family friendly weeknight meal that's gluten free.

Kristina LaRue, RDN

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.

Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!

If you’re a modern mama– I’d love for you to join my Facebook group A Modern Motherhood Collective!

www.loveandzest.com

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Comments

  1. Claudia Lamascolo says

    November 18, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    what a fun great idea I know the kiddos will love these delicious and fun to eat!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Ginny says

    November 18, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Those little loafs are so cute. Love your ingredients and I think that makes a great appetizer too.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Mary Bostow says

    November 18, 2018 at 1:57 pm

    This sounds fantastic! Looks tasty! This recipe is perfect for me and my family. Now I know what to cook today for dinner. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Danielle Wolter says

    November 18, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    I have totally got to make these. They sound amazing!! I am loving the cheese 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Alexis says

    August 14, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    My family loves something similar. I’ve never thought of making them in a cupcake tin though great idea!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Jamie Young says

    August 14, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    I love the adding of the veggies! Anytime I can sneak those in for my kids, that’s a win! Delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Morgan B Eisenberg says

    August 14, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Cheesy meatloaves are always a yes in my book! I’m going to have to try these.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. Lynn | The Road to Honey says

    August 14, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    Gimme the sauce & lots of it. These look utterly irresistible (thanks mama). Loving that they are bit size too. Perfect for even finicky eaters.

    Reply
  9. Caroline says

    August 14, 2018 at 3:56 pm

    I love that these are loaded up with veggies and cute idea making mini ones in a muffin tin.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  10. Dannii says

    August 14, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    I love that these are mini meatloafs. I think they would go down really well at a party.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Southern Cornbread Dressing | gluten free and vegan stuffing recipe says:
    November 20, 2018 at 9:27 am

    […] you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know my mom is a real good cook and homemaker and she learned everything she knows from her mama who raised her as southern as […]

    Reply
  2. Superfood Turkey Tacos | healthy taco meat made with mushrooms and walnuts says:
    August 25, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    […] You know I’m all about that freezer stock– because real life calls for a fully stocked freezer with pre cooked meals at the ready, and major props when it’s homemade like these superfood turkey tacos or mama’s cheesy meatloaf minis. […]

    Reply

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Thanks for stopping by Love & Zest. I’m Kristina LaRue, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. Here on L&Z, I share healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I'm a fan of adding veggies to everything and recipes that make mom life easier.
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