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
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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.
Sadye 10.01.2013
I forgot to baste the loaves with barbecue sauce, and they were still absolutely freakin’ amazing. This is a keeper for sure.
April 08.18.2013
Yum! So, so good!!! We made this with thyme mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. My husband commented that it was better than what you’d get in a restaurant. This is definitely going into our family favorites! Thanks for all the great recipes and beautiful photos. And congrats on the new little one. :)
Rebecca 08.14.2013
you know those recipes that you save because they look amazing but you never actually make them…? too much effort or the thought that it might not be outstanding? THIS IS NOT THAT. its such a quick meal to whip up during the week yet is delicious. ive made this a bunch of times already. thank you thank you!
Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves | Around The Kitchen in the 'burgh 08.10.2013
[…] be cooking more. This past week I did try some new recipes that were pretty good. The first one is Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves from Iowa Girl Eats. (You need to check out her blog – she has some great […]
Mini Barbecue Turkey Meatloaves | Hungry Hannah 08.02.2013
[…] Some recipes had too many ingredients, some had questionable reviews, and then I stumbled upon Iowa Girl Eats’ Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves. (Can you tell how much I love that blog? She always has the best recipes!) The photos made me […]
Kathy 07.30.2013
What kind of ground beef do you use for this? 80/20? Etc. Or is it good with leaner beef? Thanks.
Iowa Girl Eats 07.30.2013
Lean works just great – I think I used 90/10.
Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves 04.24.2013
[…] in our house and I’ve made it several times in the short time since I found the recipe at Iowa Girl Eats. The only thing I changed was the binding agent, from panko bread crumbs to certified gluten free […]
Alicia 03.21.2013
I made these tonight and they were amazing!!!! Instead of making 4 loaves I put them in a 6 muffin tray. The caramalized sweet onions were the best part so never short cut but using regular onions. Next time I make these, I’m going to put them in a mini-muffin tray just the right size for my 1 year old son to eat.
I tried the roasted broccoli for the first time and is so much better then steamed. I added some thin slices of carrots as well and they were so good. I couldn’t get over the meal…I would have gone back for seconds if I wasn’t watching my weight…LOL.
Vee B 03.19.2013
I made these tonight it was so easy to make, the prep time for the meal was only 15 mins….and they were soooooo good things for making a boring meal so exciting!
Katie 03.06.2013
I just made these the other night with a little adaption to make them gluten free and they were AMAZING! The caramelized onions just put them over the top!! SO, I’ve just added this to my long list of meatloaf favorites :)
Also, cauliflower is awesome roasted the same way as the broccoli, if you like cauliflower!
I Love Meat Loaf Again! | Savvy Single Suppers 02.26.2013
[…] internet search turned up a great-looking recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. Her recipe had the right proportions for a Savvy-Meatloaf-searching-Single. It also had […]
Rebecca 02.24.2013
This was so delicious! I also made the broccoli and a side of mash potatoes! Great recipe when your craving some comfort food!!
Daily Dinner Idea: Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves | The Nest Blog – Home Décor, Cooking, Money, Health & Sex News & Advice 02.15.2013
[…] Get the Recipe […]
Charlene Austin 01.20.2013
I just pre-made these mini meat loaves so that all I have to do is pop them in the oven when I get home from work tomorrow. They already smell great and they aren’t even cooked! Roasted broccoli is one of my favourites. We eat it at least 4 out of 7 nights a week. So good. The other nights are either roasted cauliflower or asparagus.
Friday’s Top Ten « Roochel's Randoms 01.11.2013
[…] LOVE Iowa Girl Eats blog and her recipe for BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves! They are delicious and I told all of my coworkers about them and they feel the same way! I made […]
Anne 01.09.2013
I make roasted broccoli all the time for our 4 daughters (thank you for another AWESOME recipe, Pinterest!) I use lemon juice & olive oil drizzled over the top then slice up a garlic clove or two to mix in with the broccoli. Roast at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until browned then grate some fresh parmesan cheese on top. YUM! I have had our daughters, ages 4-11, arguing over who got to finish off the broccoli! Can’t complain about that!
Mini Mediterranean Turkey Meatloaves | Iowa Girl Eats 01.08.2013
[…] in today’s recipe for Mini Mediterranean Turkey Meatloaves – coastal cousins of the Mini BBQ Cheddar Meat Loaves I posted a few months ago!Packed with fresh flavors like parsley, tomato, cucumber, and basil, […]
denise 12.30.2012
You are such a cute little button ! I am an old time girl, but I will say that I am going to try out this personal sized meatloaves. Looks comforting and delicious !
Mini Meatloaves | Running Daze 12.17.2012
[…] have to share Monday night’s dinner with you. I saw this recipe on my reader last month from Iowa Girl Eats and I knew I had to save it. Kristin has the best […]
Mini Meatloaves « Running Daze 12.13.2012
[…] have to share Monday night’s dinner with you. I saw this recipe on my reader last month from Iowa Girl Eats and I knew I had to save it. Kristin has the best […]