Raise your hand if you were forced to eat meatloaf as a kid (my arm is stretched into the air, waving wildly right now)!
Meatloaf is one of my Dad’s favorite meals so my Mom made it for dinner quite often when I was growing up. Unfortunately I didn’t feel the same and spent many nights planted at the kitchen table long after my brother’s had cleaned their plates, washing down nibble after nibble of cold meatloaf with warm milk and a pinched nose.
You’ve been there.
Strangely, sometime over the past year I’ve developed somewhat of a craving for meatloaf and so when the idea for Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves caused me to nearly fly off the end of the treadmill I happened to be running on at the time (why am I always thinking about food on the treadmill?) I knew I had to turn vision into reality.
Watch How to Make Them
Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves are individually portioned meatloaves studded with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese cubes, and BBQ sauce, baked to sizzling, ooey-gooey cheesy perfection.
These are NOT your Mother’s meatloaves! (Sorry Mom.)
Kids and kids at heart will not be able to resist this seriously delicious flavor combo, and what food isn’t better made in miniature form? Kids feel special getting their own mini meal and I, especially, appreciate the built in portion control.
Whatever the reason, you will adore these mini meatloaves!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by caramelizing a large sweet onion. Oh yeah! Melt butter in a large pot or skillet over medium heat then add sliced or chopped sweet onions and season with a dash of salt. Saute for 20 minutes, or until the onions are soft, golden brown, and sweet. Set them aside to cool slightly – you can do this a couple of days ahead of time.
Next add ground beef and a whisked egg to a large mixing bowl. I like using lean ground beef so the meatloaves don’t end up greasy.
Add Worcestershire sauce and BBQ sauce, plus salt and pepper.
Lastly, add gluten free panko-style bread crumbs (or regular panko bread crumbs if you don’t need to eat gluten free,) plus the cooled caramelized onions and cheddar cheese cut into 1/4″ cubes, which will stud the inside of the meatloaves like melted buried treasure.
Mix the ingredients together with your hands then form into four mini loaves and place on a foil lined, nonstick sprayed baking sheet. Spread 1 Tablespoon BBQ sauce over each loaf to keep them nice and moist in the oven then bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees.
Wooo! Look at that meltage!
Pair the mini meatloaves with a side salad, or roasted broccoli like I did, then serve them on up. I hope you love this easy, decadent, totally tasty twist on classic meatloaf – enjoy!
More Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love:
- Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
- How to Cook Burgers in the Oven
- Gluten Free Lasagna
- Mini Taco Meatloaf
- Cheeseburger Quesadillas
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Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves
Description
Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves are flavored with melty cheddar cheese and sweet BBQ sauce. This tasty twist on classic meatloaf is a hit with my family!
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- salt
- 1lb lean ground beef
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce, divided
- 1/4 cup gluten free panko-style bread crumbs
- pepper
- 3oz cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4" cubes
Directions
- Cut onion in half then each half into thin slices OR, chop the onion. Melt butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat then add onions and a dash of salt. Cook, stirring every couple of minutes, until onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Turn heat down if onions start to burn. Set aside to cool slightly - can be made up to several days ahead of time.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl combine ground beef, egg, Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, cheese cubes, and caramelized onions, then mix until just combined. Divide mixture into 4 equal-sized portions then form into loaves and place on a foil-lined, non-stick-sprayed baking sheet. Spread 1 Tablespoon BBQ sauce over each loaf then bake for 20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center, and then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
These look great, Kristin! I never had meatloaf as a kid because it was one of the first dishes my Mom made my Dad after they were first married, and it turned out like a brick. I think that scared her away! Anyway, your version looks great!
Congrats on the cooking demo—I know you were a pro. I’ll be there with bells on (as they say) at your next one! :)
I make a similar meatloaf that we really like.
Sometimes I make individual servings in cupcake tins & then “frost” them with mashed potatoes & decorate with shredded cheese sprinkles.
I will try the broccoli. We really like roasted cauliflower with pepper & Parmesan, and roasted carrots with rosemary & garlic.
I enjoy your blog. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the great recipe! I made this tonight for dinner and even my children loved it. We had it with the broccoli too. Easy to make, easy to clean up. Love that!
I’ve been making mini-meatloaves for years… how else do you cook meatloaf in 30 minutes or less for only two people? I don’t even bother shaping them into loaves. Just drop them into a giant muffin tin, or make smaller versions in normal cupcake tins. They cook faster and you don’t even have to cut the slices. They store easier for freezing and leftovers. I had a friend tell me once that he didn’t like meatloaf because it’s dry and I’m like, ‘WHA????’ My meatloaf is NEVER dry because I use 80/20 – never go fat free. You need some flavor from the fat. And, I always add extra salsa or BBQ sauce to the meat mixture. How can you not like that? Especially for Fall/Winter. Thanks for sharing your version, IGE!
This recipe is going on my must make list and by the way, I’m always thinking about food on the treadmill too! ;)
Will def try the roasted broccoli? Is it better than roasted brussel sprouts? I’m addicted to that!
Btw, where did you get your jeans? I love the color/fade?
Those look good. While I work out I watch the food network. Kind of counter productive.
Whoa. If I didn’t have green chile pork in the slow cooker right now, I would running to the store for ingredients to make these mini loaves. Yummy!
Congrats on the successful demo. I don’t think any of your readers had a doubt that you would kill it. :)
We had meatloaf rarely when I was growing up, now mini-meatloaf is something The Boy and I prepare on the regular. It’s so yummy!
Making these for dinner tonight!! Thanks! I told my daughter what is for dinner as she was getting ready for work and added ” Compliments of Iowa Girl Eats”! She gave me that ‘Yes!’ look! We love most of your recipes!
This is GENIUUUS. Love that you can make the whole meal at the same time in the oven. MMMness.
What? No bacon? I think a little bacon in these would add to the already fantastic loaves.
I am home sick, and my husband asked me what I wanted for dinner whilst reading your post. He made me these, with hard goat cheese instead of cheddar and they were amazing! And he is impressed with himself!
Thank you
Aww – sweet hubby! Hope you are feeling better!
ohh this looks yummo! I like the brocolli idea also. I linked back to your lovely quinoa cups today after sharing them on my blog http://ironmumkarla.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/mini-cheese-ham-quinoa-cups.html
They were delish!!
These make incredible burgers! Just shred the cheddar instead of cube it, and top with caramelized onions on a whole wheat bun! Super yummy!! Whenever I serve these, they get rave reviews!!
I am eager to try this recipe. I like the idea of making mini meat loaf especially now that I’m cooking for two and not four people for dinnertime. I’ve never had broccoli cooked this way before and I can’t wait to try it. I really like your blog!!
Oh, those look good and so cute! I love minis! I’ll definitely try the roasted broccoli; I have a meatloaf recipe that I use already but I love the idea of the minis. The cheese looks awfully good though:) Congrats on the demo!
I was already planning to make meatloaf for dinner tonight when I saw your post! I made your recipe instead of my standard (some might say boring) one, and it was delicious. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed! :)
Kristin, I’ve been silently stalking your blog. But I saw this post and I had to tell you how beautiful your pictures are… I mean, I wish I could grab one of those mini meatloafs and eat it right now. Great post!!
Thanks, Meghan! :)
Oh man!! I am a lifelong meatloaf hater….I even tried those meatloaf cupcakes from Pinterest…thinking the cuteness would confuse me…no luck. Cheddar studded meatloaf could be the ticket.
Also, props on roasting veggies…it’s the only way to get them down sometimes!