Recipe: Delicious Meatloaf "Cupcakes"

Meatloaf "Cupcakes". Meatloaf baked in muffin cups and topped with mashed potatoes, also known as meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato icing, are kid-approved. Ok, so technically, meatloaf cupcakes probably aren't real cupcakes, but the idea is a cute one and it's such a quick and adaptable base recipe. Just mix up mince/ground beef with whatever you have at hand, add your favourite flavours to make these easy meatloaf cupcakes.

I piped the mashed potato on for the photo but ordinarily I just pile it on then fluff it up with a fork - much faster! In large bowl, mix "Meat Loaf" ingredients until well combined. Divide mixture evenly among muffin cups, pressing mixture down firmly. You can have Meatloaf "Cupcakes" using 13 ingredients and 5 steps. Here is how you achieve that.

Ingredients of Meatloaf "Cupcakes"

1. Prepare 4 oz of ground beef.
2. You need 1/2 cup of bread crumbs.
3. It's 1/8 cup of onion.
4. Prepare 1/8 cup of mushroom.
5. You need 1 tbsp of mayonnaise.
6. Prepare 1 tbsp of ketchup.
7. Prepare 1 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese.
8. It's 1 tsp of dijon mustard.
9. It's 1/4 tsp of basil.
10. You need 1/4 tsp of thyme.
11. You need 1/8 tsp of garlic powder.
12. You need 1/8 tsp of ground black pepper.
13. Prepare 2 pinch of salt.

In a saucepan over medium heat, add the potatoes, water to cover the potatoes, and salt. Bring potatoes to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Press into a muffin tin sprayed with nonstick baking spray. Using a simple meatloaf recipe, homemade meatloaf is turned into a mini version that is a fun comfort food meal for the whole family with these Mini Meatloaf Cupcakes.

Meatloaf "Cupcakes" instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F..
2. Combine, in a mixing bowl, ground beef, mushroom, onion, ketchup, mayo, and mustard..
3. Add all dry ingredients, and mix in. Mixture should dry out and be packable..
4. Grease inside of cupcake pan with butter, and pack meat into cupcake mold (or 2 if your pan is smaller). Fill rest of spots with 1/2" water..
5. Cook in oven for 15 minutes..

These mini-meatloaf cupcakes cook much faster than regular meatloaf which can take up to an hour or more. They also are easier for quick freezing or defrosting, packing for lunches, or taking on-the-go. If you don't have a muffin pan, my sweet potato Shepherd's pie is another great option that cooks in a single pan. In the meantime, put the mashed potatoes into a pastry bag (or a ziploc bag with the corner cut off) with a wide star tip or circular tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf. Place stuffed meatloaf mixture into muffin cups.