Are you looking for the ultimate weeknight dinner hack? A hearty, satisfying, and incredibly easy meal that cooks in a fraction of the time of a traditional meatloaf and is a guaranteed, resounding hit with the whole family (especially the kids!)? These amazing, from-scratch-tasting Mini Barbecue Meatloaf Muffins are your new go-to. They’re fun, flavorful, perfectly portioned, and an absolute lifesaver for busy nights.
This isn’t just another meatloaf recipe; it’s a guide to the most clever and convenient comfort food you’ll ever make. The secret lies in two brilliant shortcuts: using a box of stuffing mix as an all-in-one binder and seasoning, and baking the meatloaves in a muffin tin. The result is a stunningly moist and tender meatloaf with a sweet and smoky barbecue flavor, all crowned with a glorious blanket of gooey, melted cheddar cheese.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Hack
What makes these Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves so spectacularly delicious and easy is the brilliant use of two game-changing shortcuts. First, we use a box of stuffing mix as a secret weapon. It acts as the perfect binder and provides a full-bodied, savory herb seasoning with zero extra measuring or effort. Second, by baking the meatloaf mixture in a standard muffin tin, we create perfect, individual portions that cook in just 20 minutes, a fraction of the time of a full-sized loaf. It’s a foolproof method for a moist, flavorful, and incredibly fast family dinner.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 12 muffins |
The Essential Ingredients for This Easy Meal
This recipe uses a handful of smart shortcuts and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The “Genius” Binder & Seasoning (Stuffing Mix!):
- Stuffing Mix: This is the ultimate, all-in-one shortcut! One 6-ounce package of your favorite brand of dry stuffing mix (like Stove Top®) provides the breadcrumbs needed to keep the meatloaf moist and tender, and it also contains a delicious, savory blend of herbs, salt, and seasonings, all in one convenient box.
- The Meatloaf Base:
- Lean Ground Beef: For the best flavor without the muffin cups becoming too greasy, it is recommended to use a lean ground beef, such as 85/15 or 90/10.
- Hickory Smoke-Flavored Barbecue Sauce: Using a barbecue sauce with a hickory smoke flavor is a fantastic way to add an instant, deep, smoky, and sweet flavor that makes these mini meatloaves taste like they were cooked on a grill.
- The Cheesy Topping: A generous sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, melted over the top during the last few minutes of baking, creates a beautiful, bubbly, and irresistibly cheesy crust.
Step-by-Step to Perfect Meatloaf Muffins
This delicious, one-bowl meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the 6-ounce package of stuffing mix, the 1 cup of water, and the 2 tablespoons of hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce.
Step 3: Add the 1 pound of ground beef to the bowl. Use your clean hands to gently mix everything together until it is just combined.
Pro Tip: The number one secret to a tender, not tough, meatloaf is to not overmix the meat mixture. Mix only until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Part 2: Form the Meatloaf Muffins and Bake
Step 1: Press about 1/3 cup of the meatloaf mixture firmly into each of the 12 cups of an ungreased, standard-sized muffin tin.
Step 2: Bake, uncovered, for 18 to 22 minutes.
Pro Tip: The only 100% foolproof way to guarantee a perfectly cooked meatloaf is to use an instant-read thermometer. The meatloaf muffins are perfectly and safely cooked when the internal temperature in the center of a muffin registers at least 160°F (71°C).
Step 3: Carefully remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the tops of the meatloaf muffins with the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 2 to 4 more minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Serve the meatloaf muffins warm with some additional barbecue sauce for dipping, if desired.
The Easiest Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Muffins
An easy recipe for individual-sized barbecue meatloaves that are conveniently baked in a muffin tin. This simple dish uses a box of stuffing mix as a flavorful binder for the ground beef, along with hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce. The mini loaves are baked until cooked through, then topped with shredded cheddar cheese and returned to the oven just long enough for the cheese to melt. They are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 package (6 ounces) stuffing mix
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Additional hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the stuffing mix, water, and 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce.
- Add the ground beef to the bowl and mix lightly but thoroughly with your hands until just combined.
- Press about 1/3 cup of the meat mixture into each of 12 ungreased muffin cups.
- Bake, uncovered, for 18-22 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatloaf reads 160°F.
- Sprinkle the tops with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for an additional 2-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Serve with additional barbecue sauce, if desired.
Notes
- This recipe uses a standard muffin tin to create individual, portion-controlled meatloaves that cook quickly.
- Using a box of stuffing mix is a key shortcut that acts as both a binder and a source of seasoning.
- Be careful not to overmix the ground beef mixture to ensure the meatloaves are tender, not tough.
Air Fryer Instructions
For an even faster result with crispier edges, you can use your air fryer!
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Place the raw meatloaf muffins in a single layer in the air fryer basket, either in silicone muffin liners or directly in the basket if it is well-greased. You will likely need to work in batches.
Step 3: Air fry for 12-15 minutes, until the meatloaf is cooked through. Top with the cheese during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking and let it melt.
What to Serve With Your Meatloaf Muffins
These fun and hearty meatloaf muffins are perfect for a classic, kid-friendly comfort food dinner.
- Classic Mashed Potatoes: The absolute perfect, classic partner for any meatloaf.
- Tater Tots or French Fries: A fun and easy side that kids will love.
- A Simple Green Vegetable: A side of simple, steamed green beans, sweet peas, or buttered corn is the perfect, fresh counterpoint to the rich meal.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Meatloaf muffins are the ultimate make-ahead and freezer-friendly meal.
- Make-Ahead: You can fully prepare the raw meatloaf mixture and press it into the muffin tin up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.
- Storage: Store any leftover cooked meatloaf muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: These muffins freeze beautifully! You can freeze them either cooked or uncooked. For the best result, place the unbaked muffins (in the tin) or the baked and cooled muffins on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, you can transfer the frozen muffins to a freezer-safe, resealable bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Ground Meat: If you’re not a fan of ground beef, this recipe is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of lean ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Add a Classic Glaze: For a more traditional, sticky meatloaf topping, you can skip the cheese and instead brush the tops of the meatloaf muffins with extra barbecue sauce during the last 5 minutes of the baking time.
- Add Some Hidden Veggies: For an extra boost of nutrition, you can mix about 1/2 to 1 cup of finely shredded carrots or zucchini (be sure to squeeze out the excess moisture from the zucchini first!) into the meat mixture along with the ground beef.
Enjoy The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of fun, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. These Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves are a testament to the power of a few smart shortcuts to create a meal that is both incredibly fast and incredibly delicious. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute secret to a moist, not dry, meatloaf?
This recipe has two main secrets! First, the stuffing mix, when combined with the water, acts as a “panade” that adds a huge amount of moisture to the lean ground beef. Second, the individual muffin shape ensures that the meatloaves cook very quickly, which prevents them from spending too much time in the oven and drying out.
Q2: Can I make this in a regular loaf pan instead of a muffin tin?
Yes, you can. Simply press the entire meat mixture into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. You will need to increase the baking time significantly, to about 55-65 minutes, or until the center of the loaf registers 160°F.
Q3: Can I make these meatloaf muffins ahead of time?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal for meal prep! You can fully bake the meatloaf muffins, let them cool, and store them in the refrigerator. They are delicious when gently reheated in the microwave or an air fryer for a super-quick lunch or dinner.
Q4: How do I know for sure when my meatloaf is cooked through?
The only 100% foolproof way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. Ground beef is perfectly and safely cooked when the internal temperature in the center of the meatloaf registers 160°F (71°C).
Q5: Can I use a different kind of stuffing mix?
Of course! This recipe is incredibly versatile. A classic turkey or chicken-flavored stuffing mix would be a fantastic choice. A cornbread stuffing mix would also be delicious and would add a lovely,