BBQ Meatloaf Muffins Recipe
These BBQ Meatloaf Muffins are a perfect individual-sized twist on classic meatloaf, featuring lean ground beef, savory spices, cooked rice for texture, and a smoky barbecue sauce. Topped with melted sharp cheddar, they bake quickly in muffin tins, delivering a flavorful, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 meatloaf muffins (6 servings, 2 muffins per serving)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded, divided
- 1 cup cooked rice (or cooked quinoa; can increase up to 1½ cups if preferred)
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, your favorite kind
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the meatloaf muffins evenly.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, cooked rice, barbecue sauce, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Use your hands (wearing food-safe gloves if preferred) to mix everything thoroughly until well distributed.
- Prepare muffin tins: Spray a 12-cup muffin tin generously with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Fill muffin cups: Divide the meat mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, pressing lightly to fill each cup.
- Bake initial phase: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. This allows the meatloaf muffins to cook through.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the muffins from the oven and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the tops of each muffin.
- Bake final phase: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Allow the meatloaf muffins to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the tins and serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked quinoa for rice as a healthier, gluten-free option.
- Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce based on your preferred sweetness and tanginess.
- Using 90% lean ground beef keeps the meatloaf muffins juicy but lower in fat.
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add hot sauce to the mixture.
- These muffins reheat well and can be made ahead for meal prep.
Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/bbq-meatloaf-muffins-recipe/
