The Best Meat Loaf Recipe

These mini meatloaves are packed with classic flavors and a twist of honey chipotle glaze. Perfect for weeknights, with easy adjustments for making a full loaf!

Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, but sometimes you want something a little more fun and convenient. These mini meatloaves bring all the rich, savory flavors of traditional meatloaf but in individual portions – perfect for family dinners or meal prepping. Inspired by classic meatloaf but enhanced with a smoky-sweet glaze, this dish is sure to become a favorite.

What is meat loaf?

Meatloaf has been a staple comfort food for generations, with roots tracing back to Europe. Early versions of meatloaf appeared in Germany and Scandinavia, where ground meats were mixed with bread and spices to create hearty, economical meals. As immigrants brought their recipes to America, meatloaf evolved into the dish we recognize today – a blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, often topped with a sweet glaze.

For many families, meatloaf became a weeknight classic due to its affordability and versatility. Over the years, countless variations emerged, from the addition of vegetables and cheeses to experimenting with different glazes and sauces. My take on meatloaf reflects those classic flavors but adds a personal twist – mini versions for faster cooking and a honey chipotle glaze that brings a subtle heat and sweetness to every bite. This dish was born out of my desire for something quick, easy, and deeply satisfying, without relying on takeout.

What you’ll need:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup onion, diced (I like to caramelize them first – see notes)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (I prefer honey chipotle)

For the Glaze:

• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tsp creole seasoning or Dijon mustard

How to prepare:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick spray. Set aside.
2. Mix the Meatloaf Ingredients:
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, Italian breadcrumbs, parsley, diced onion, garlic powder, black pepper, creole seasoning, salt, egg, and barbecue sauce. Use clean hands to mix until fully combined.
3. Shape the Meatloaves:
   Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into mini loaves. Alternatively, shape the entire mixture into one large loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the Loaves:
   Place the mini loaves in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Prepare the Glaze:
   In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup barbecue sauce and 1 teaspoon of creole seasoning or Dijon mustard.
6. Glaze and Continue Baking:
   Remove the mini loaves from the oven and brush the glaze generously over each one. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees F.
7. Rest and Serve:
   Let the loaves rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra glaze and sides like creamy mashed potatoes and garlicky asparagus for the perfect meal.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Perfect Portions: Mini loaves cook faster and ensure everyone gets their own serving.
• Flavor Packed: The combination of breadcrumbs, seasonings, and honey chipotle glaze adds layers of flavor.
• Flexible: Whether making mini loaves or one full loaf, this recipe adapts easily to fit your needs.

These mini meatloaves are a delicious, hearty option for any night of the week. Whether you stick to individual servings or make one full loaf, the flavors shine through in every bite!

Print Recipe

Mini Meatloaves with Honey Chipotle Glaze

These mini meatloaves are packed with classic flavors and a twist of honey chipotle glaze. Perfect for weeknights, with easy adjustments for making a full loaf!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Author: Kurvey Kraves

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup onion, diced  I like to caramelize them first (see notes)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce I like honey chipotle

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick spray, then set aside.
• In a large bowl combine the meatloaf ingredients and mix with clean hands, until fully combined. Press and shape meatloaf mixture into 4 mini loaves or one large loaf. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Combine 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce & 1 teaspoon of creole or Dijon mustard. Remove loaves from oven and pour some glaze over each loaf. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes for the mini loaves, additional time will be needed for a whole loaf. Bake until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees in center.
•  Let the loaves rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra glaze alongside my creamy mashed potatoes and garlicky asparagus and enjoy!

Notes

• Caramelized Onions: To add more depth of flavor, caramelize the onions before mixing them into the meatloaf. Simply sauté diced onions in a bit of butter or oil over medium-low heat until golden and soft. Let them cool slightly before adding to the mixture.
• Cooking a Full Loaf: If making one large loaf, increase the initial bake time to 45-50 minutes before adding the glaze. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
• Customizations: Feel free to swap out the barbecue sauce for ketchup or a mix of ketchup and brown sugar for a more classic meatloaf glaze.

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