Switch up taco night with Mini Taco Meatloaf! This easy dinner recipe can be prepped ahead of time, and is fun for all ages.
Our neighborhood is a child’s dream. All day long there’s kids zipping around on scooters and bikes, and running between backyards stopping only for forced food and water breaks.
I’m not exaggerating when I say I saw my oldest for a grand total of 30 minutes between the hours of 9am and 5pm the other day!
I finally got him to sit in his chair for longer than 10 minutes with the promise of Mini Taco Meatloaf for dinner!
Can I take a second to self-proclaim myself the Mini Meatloaf Queen? Is that something people aspire to be? We’re rolling with it. Mini meatloaves are my JAM. They are such a great way to give familiar flavors a twist AND serve them up in a fun, individual-sized package. Here are my favorite past renditions:
- Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf
- Italian Sausage and Pepper Ring Mini Meatloaves
- Mini Philly Cheesesteak Meatloaf
- Stuffed Italian Meatball Mini Meatloaf
- Mini Muffuletta Meatloaf
- Mini Mediterranean Turkey Meatloaf
Mini Taco Meatloaves have all the flavor of tacos, smashed into a tasty, cheesy individual-sized portion. No crisping up taco shells, no drying tears when said taco shells inevitably shatter and the fillings go cascading onto the floor, no internal screaming when having to clean up said fillings from the floor. You get the picture. This dish is a total upgrade!
Tips for Making Mini Taco Meatloaf
- Gluten free bread crumbs: these mini meatloaves are held together with the help of gluten free bread crumbs. I like Schar gluten free panko-style breadcrumbs (or use regular panko if you don’t need to eat gluten free) or pulverized Rice Chex. Either crush them in a food processor or in a large Ziplock bag with a rolling pin.
- Egg allergy? There’s also an egg in here to keep the meatloaf mixture together, which is a no-go for my daughter’s egg allergy. That said, I tested this recipe omitting the egg, relying on hummus to help keep things together. The meatloaves were soft for sure, but SO tender and flavorful from the addition of the hummus! That said, you can enjoy this recipe either with or without the egg.
- Homemade Taco Seasoning: you guys know how obsessed I am with my Large Batch Homemade Taco Seasoning so I definitely recommend you use it in this recipe. That said, you can use my Single Serving Taco Seasoning, or your favorite taco seasoning packet.
- Make ahead of time: these mini meatloaves are able to be made ahead of time – woo! Simply prepare up to the baking step then cover tightly and refrigerate. Let the mini meatloaves sit at room temperature while your oven is preheating, then bake.
Allllrighty – let’s cook (then more importantly, EAT!)
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow to Make This Recipe
Start by combining salsa, gluten free bread cumbs, taco seasoning, cubed cheddar cheese, a whisked egg and a big dollop of hummus (un-pictured) in a large glass bowl.
Crumble lean ground beef (I like 90/10) on top then use your hands to mix everything until just combined. Divide the mixture into four portions then shape into mini meatloaves and place on a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet.
Bake for 18-20 minutes at 425 degrees then you’re set! LOOK at that melty, cheesy taco deliciousness!
Serve with a scoop of salsa, if you please, then dig in! I hope you love this simple yet scrumptious twist on taco night – enjoy!
More Easy + Family Favorite Recipes
- Cheeseburger Bombs
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Cheeseburger Quesadillas
- Crispy Chicken, Bacon and Pesto Gnocchi Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 1/3 cup gluten free bread crumbs, see notes
- 3 Tablespoons hummus, optional
- 2 Tablespoons homemade taco seasoning , OR 1 taco seasoning packet
- 2 oz cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4″ cubes
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees then line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Add egg, salsa, bread crumbs, hummus (if using), taco seasoning, and cheese cubes to a large bowl then stir with a fork to combine. Crumble ground beef on top then use your hands to mix until just combined.
- Divide mixture into four portion then shape each portion into a loaf and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through, then serve.
Notes
- Prepare ahead of tine: prepare the mini meatloaves up to a day ahead of time. Place on prepared baking sheet then cover tightly with saran wrap and refrigerate. Let the baking sheet with the mini meatloaves sit on the counter and come to room temperature for 20 minutes or so before baking.
- Click here for my Large Batch Taco Seasoning.
- Click here for my single-serving Taco Seasoning.
- I like Schar panko-style bread crumbs, though pulverized Rice Chex work great too!
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
these are fantastic! amazingly tasty, come together quickly, and don’t need very long in the oven. love them!
Fantastic!! I’m so glad to hear it, Jen! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating. :)
These taco meatloaves are now on the “favorite list” at my house! My teenagers especially love them. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
These look scrumptious! What is the role of the hummus? We often have it on hand or can put it on the meal plan but what if it’s just not. Any suggestions on substitutions?
Hey April! The hummus keeps the meatloaves moist though as I mentioned, it is optional!
I love your recipes but as I am on a bit of weight loss journey, I was wondering if you could make these with ground turkey. Do you think the recipe would remain the same?
We tried this recipe last night and it was a huge hit with the whole family! It was so good that my husband commented multiple times on how much he liked it! Thanks so much for making such delicious recipes that even my gluten eating family can enjoy!
OMG, I just discovered your site and tried your Cauliflower Gratin recipe last night…it was Ah-mazing! My partner has Celiac, and we are a gluten-free household. I really love this mini-meatloaf idea, and can’t wait to try it! While I love Rice Chex in any form, and I think it is a great idea, I want to offer another suggestion for gluten-free “breading” that is also low-carb (we have another family member who is doing Keto)….pulverized pork rinds! I use them in meatballs and in things like crab cakes. They give an extra “something” flavor-wise as well. I hate dragging out my food processor unless I absolutely have to, so I generally just throw them in a ziploc bag and whack them with a meat mallet. Just wanted to share that!
This was delicious!! I will never make meatloaf without hummus again. It was so flavorful and moist
Right?? Such a game changer! So glad you liked the recipe, Sarah! :)
I fixed these tonight and they were delicious! Thank you for these wonderful recipes!
Ahh, so glad to hear that, Paula! Thank you so much for your review and recipe rating!
Do you double the recipe since there are 5 of you? We have 6 in my family and wondering if it is easily doubled.
Very easily doubled! Ben doesn’t like meatloaf so he eats something else whenever they are on the menu. :)
I’m a loyal fan of your mini meatloaves and your bbq cheddar ones are my go-to when I am bringing dinner somewhere – double the recipe to allow for extra and they’re always a hit. I’m sure this will be on our table in the next week now :) Thank you!
Thrilled to hear that, Bonnie! I hope you love this rendition just as much! :D
If you’re the queen of mini meatloaves, then I am your loyal second-in-command ? we like to make mini meatloaves in muffin tins but shaping them on a sheet pan looks 100x easier to clean up! Can’t wait to try it!
It’s an honor to have you on the court. ? Yes – sheet pan + foil = no dirty baking dishes!
Rice Chex! I would have never thought of that! In a pinch, what a great idea! Thank you!
Yeah! You can also used finely pulverized tortilla chips! :)
I love mini meatloaves! When my kids were little, they would not eat meatloaf but would scarf down ‘cheeseburger cupcakes’ – sometime with cheese and a pickle on top or mashed potato ‘frosting’.
Yes!! Oh my gosh I made the mashed potato + meatloaf “cupcakes” for Ben and me like a million years ago. I need to do that for my kids – they would love it! Thanks for the reminder. :)