Easy Mini Meatloaves – Good Cheap Eats

Talk about good cheap eats! Mini meatloaves are full of flavor and pair well with mac and cheese for a filling comfort food that won’t disappoint.

Everybody knows that the crispy, caramelized edges of the meatloaf are the best part. And you get more of a good thing when you make mini meatloaves.

Savory meatloaves are made miniature so that they cook quickly. They’re easy to portion, too, making them perfect for meal prep.

These mini meatloaves are so tasty. It’s hard for me not to eat the whole batch!

Why Make These Mini Meatloaves

They are delicious. When you make food you love, you’re less likely to get pricy takeout or restaurant food. These mini meatloaves are worth going home for!

They are easy to make. This mini meatloaves recipe mixes up in minutes with regular pantry staples. So good!

They are simple and affordable. In the old days I might have made meatloaf with canned bread crumbs and a packet of dried onion soup mix. Today I used the heels of a loaf of bread. Practically free since who wants to eat the heels anyway? You’ll be amazed at the great flavor this has with just a few spices from your cupboard.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Mini Meatloaves. It’s one of our favorite, easy 5-ingredient ground beef recipes.

ground beef or turkey – You can really use any ground meat or mince you like: pork, beef, turkey, lamb, or chicken.

sandwich bread, ground into crumbs – It is easy to make homemade breadcrumbs in the blender or food processor. If you prefer, you can use about 1 cup commercial breadcrumbs.

onion – fresh chopped onion adds great flavor and fiber to these mini meatloaves. You can also use dried onion flakes if that’s what you have.

soy sauce – This adds a nice umami to the mini meatloaves. You can use fish sauce or Worcestershire sauce if you don’t have it.

Homemade Seasoned Salt – Making my own seasoned salt means I always have what I need. It’s one of my favorite homemade spice blends.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make these easy mini meatloaves:

• Preheat the oven to 350 °. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients gently. Don’t overmix.
• Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Form each one into a small loaf or patty.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked through.

Tips for Success

Serving Suggestions: Serve these meatloaves with Stovetop Mac and Cheese for an easy but hugely filling meal for a bargain price! I like to have steamed veggies or a salad on the side. If your people like it, you can glaze the mini meatloaves with ketchup or bbq sauce in the last few minutes of baking.

Shop Your Kitchen: This is a very versatile recipe, allowing you to make substitutions for the meat and bread. Use what you have so that you can save money.

To Make a Meal Prep: Divide the mini meatloaves into meal prep dishes with your favorite sides, such as mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or french fries.

Freeze Extra for Later: Cool the mini meatloaves and wrap in meal-size portions. Store in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.

Make a Plan for Leftovers: Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. If you store your leftovers in clear containers, they’re more likely to get eaten.

Sample Costs

Here’s how the numbers crunch when making homemade mac and cheese alongside mini meatloaves.

• ground beef – $3.99
• bread – free because I use the heels that no one wants
• spices – $0.25
• onion – $0.25
• soy sauce – $0.10
• macaroni – $0.99
• cheese (¼ pound) – $0.90
• milk – $0.25
• butter – $0.38
• flour – $0.25
• broccoli – $0.99

Total for this meal to feed 4 to 8, depending on ages and appetites: $8.35

Boom! Comfort food win!

More 5-Ingredient Recipes

This post was originally published on October 24, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.