MINI MEATLOAF RECIPE with CHEDDAR CHEESE (2024)

Published by Nellie on July 9, 2019

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Mini Cheddar Meatloaves made with just 6 common ingredients in under an hour! Mini Meatloaf is so easy to make- just shape and top with our special 3 ingredient sauce and bake. This meatloaf recipe is gluten free, low in carbs and absolutely delicious!

Mini Cheddar Meatloaves have become a new favorite dinner recipe at my house. A friend gave me this recipe quite a while ago and I admit that I kept putting it off because meatloaf has never been one of my favorites. I finally decided to try it and now my whole perspective on meatloaf has changed – this is absolutely amazing!

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How do you make a moist meatloaf?

I like to make a moist meatloaf by adding one simple ingredient- CHEESE! I would have never thought of adding cheese to the meat, but it adds a wonderful flavor and it keeps the meatloaf from being too dry. I used mild cheddar shredded cheese but any variety of cheese would probably be delicious. I think next time I will try a cheddar/Monterey Jack blend or maybe even mozzarella!

Another ingredient that adds moisture in this meatloaf recipe is milk. This recipe also does not call for bread crumbs like many other meatloaf recipes which I really love.

How long do you cook mini meatloaf?

I love the mini meatloaf concept – these meatloaves are pre-portioned making them easy to serve and they bake faster! These mini meatloaves bake for just 40-45 minutes. I think they look pretty on a plate too. I’m sure that you could make this recipe in a loaf pan and it would still be delicious, but this way you don’t have to slice the meatloaf in order to serve it.

How to make sauce for meatloaf

You only need three basic ingredients to make the incredible sauce that goes on top – ketchup, dried mustard and brown sugar. Don’t leave the sauce off either; it’s the best part of the recipe! The sauce recipe makes enough to drizzle over each mini meatloaf, but when I make this mini meatloaf recipe, my husband always asks me to double (or even triple!) the sauce because he loves it so much.

Ingredients in Mini Meatloaf Recipe with Cheddar Cheese

1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tsp salt
1 lb. ground beef

How to make Mini Cheddar Meatloaves

Beat egg and milk together. Stir in cheese, chopped onion and salt.
Add the entire mixture to ground beef.
Shape into 8 small loaves. I have found that the easiest way to do this is to use my hands! Place the mini meatloaves in a greased 9×13 pan.
Prepare the sauce and pour on top of each loaf and then bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Ingredients in Meatloaf Sauce

2/3 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar

How to make sauce for meatloaf

If you double the sauce, you can save some of it and warm it up in a saucepan to use as a dip also. It’s so simple, but it really is fantastic!

MINI CHEDDAR MEATLOAVES

Mini Cheddar Meatloaves made with just 6 common ingredients in under an hour! Mini Meatloaf is so easy to make- just shape and top with our special 3 ingredient sauce and bake. This meatloaf recipe is gluten free, low in carbs and absolutely delicious!

4.69 from 19 votes

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Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: meatloaf

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup Mild Cheddar shredded cheese
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tsp salt
1 lb. ground beef

SAUCE

2/3 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Beat egg and milk together. Stir in cheese, chopped onion and salt. Add the entire mixture to ground beef.
Shape into 8 small loaves. Place in a greased 9X13 pan.
Combine ketchup, dried mustard and brown sugar to make the sauce.
Put sauce on top of each loaf and then bake for 40 minutes at 350°.

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Nutrition

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What to serve with meatloaf?

We love to pair meatloaf with potatoes! Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, fried potatoes, alfredo twice-baked potatoes, scalloped potatoes…for some reason, meatloaf just tastes better with potatoes! Add a green vegetable (asparagus, broccoli, green beans) and you have a complete, well balanced meal!

Is meatloaf gluten free?

This meatloaf recipe is completely gluten free. Some meatloaf recipes have breadcrumbs in them, but this recipe does not. This meatloaf is a wonderful low-carb, high protein meal option!

Need some other main dish ideas? We’ve got tons!

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Bacon Grilled Cheese
Easy Cheeseburger Recipe
Cheesy Meatball Bites
Easy Ranch Sausage Rolls
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Best Homemade Chicken Strips
Easy Salsa Chicken
Garlic Butter Pan Fried Steak
Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Mini Cheddar Meatloaves are gluten free and low in carbs! This mini meatloaf recipe is made with just 6 common ingredients in under an hour! The special 3 ingredient sauce on top is amazing too!

ABOUT US

I began Butter, with a Side of Bread to delve deeper into my fascination with food! I love cooking easy, delicious recipes and trying out new products. Welcome and I hope you stick around!

MINI MEATLOAF RECIPE with CHEDDAR CHEESE (2024)

FAQs

Can you add cheese to meat loaf? ›

A 'stuffed' meatloaf made with beef, pork, cheese, eggs, soup mix and bread crumbs. Mozzarella cheese jazzes up a classic.

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What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

Binders like eggs or breadcrumbs will certainly help to keep your meatloaf together.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

What can I add to meatloaf so it's not dry? ›

Add one or two eggs per pound of meat for a moist texture. Make Use of Milk: Soak breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to your mixture. This will keep your meatloaf moist during baking. Slather on Sauce: Add a layer of ketchup, barbecue sauce, or a mixture of both on top of your meatloaf before baking.

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What happens if you don't add milk to meatloaf? ›

Milk and eggs: The combination of milk and eggs work together as binding ingredients to hold things together in the loaf. This is vital to creating a meat loaf that won't fall apart as you slice it. If you don't have milk on hand, try substituting chicken, beef or vegetable broth.

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What happens if you put too many eggs in meatloaf? ›

Fewer eggs will create a denser and firmer meatloaf that will be more compact and easier to slice, but more eggs can create a more tender and light texture that allows the meatloaf to melt in your mouth.

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What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

What Can You Substitute Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf With?

Rolled Oats: When it comes to breadcrumb substitutes, rolled oats are one of the leading contenders. ...
Crushed Crackers: An equally viable alternative is crushed crackers.

More items...

Sep 1, 2023

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Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 375? ›

The best temperature to cook the meatloaf at is 350°F and it requires about 1 hour, give or take a few minutes, depending on size and shape. 1 hour should be more than enough for a 2 pound meatloaf.

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What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

In essence, it boils down to a few simple steps: Combine ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and other flavorful ingredients of your choice. Put this mixture in a lightly greased loaf pan and bake it until it's cooked through.

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Why put ketchup in meatloaf? ›

Whether you slather a thick layer of ketchup on top of the meatloaf before it goes into the oven, add a few tablespoons to the ground meat mixture, or serve extra ketchup on the side, this tangy-sweet, umami-rich condiment balances out the richness of the beef, making it an essential part of the dish.

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How to make a Bobby Flay meatloaf? ›

directions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. ...
Whisk together the eggs and herbs in a large bowl. ...
Whisk together the remaining ketchup and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl then brush the mixture over the entire loaf.
Bake the meatloaf for approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

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Why is my meatloaf mushy and falling apart? ›

Meat to Binder Ratio: The balance between meat and binders like eggs or breadcrumbs is crucial. If you added too many binders or not enough meat, it can result in a mushy texture. Consider adjusting the ratios to ensure a proper balance.

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Why not cook meatloaf in the loaf pan? ›

So, yes, we want our meatloaf moist, but we don't want it grease-laden and soggy. If we take a pile of ground beef and pack it into a loaf pan, the fat that renders out has nowhere to go, and so the loaf swims in its own juices…but not in a good way.

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What is bread with meat and cheese called? ›

A charcuterie board is an appetizer typically served on a wooden board or stone slab, either eaten straight from the board itself or portioned onto flatware. It features a selection of preserved foods, especially cured meats or pâtés, as well as cheeses and crackers or bread.

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Why is my meatloaf so dry? ›

Mixing your ingredients too much is a very common mistake that can really make for meatloaf with a tough, dry texture. Self-control is the key; once the ingredients are mixed in, stop. Remember, the meatloaf is going to be mixed more as it's shaped before baking. When shaping your loaf, looser is better.