Mini-Meatloaf Cups

Meatloaf is one of those foods that makes me think of 1950s housewives. I feel like people give meatloaf a collective groan when they hear that it’s what’s for dinner. But honestly, I love meatloaf. My husband loves meatloaf. If you make it right, it can be delicious.

There’s also this question of how to best make meatloaf. Do you use ketchup? Tomato sauce? BBQ sauce? It’s all up to you and what nostalgic meatloaf is for you. For me, I think of meatloaf the way my mom makes it (with BBQ sauce) and this way that I had at an Italian restaurant at my sister’s communion party like 15 years ago with a hard boiled egg, raisins, and pine nuts. Anyway- I digress.

The only thing that makes me groan about meatloaf is the cook time. If I have time to be home for hours and wait for the meatloaf to be cooked all the way through, then fine. But I don’t always have the time. Tonight was one of those nights that I wanted a quicker dinner. I decided meatloaf cups were going to happen. We have made cupcakes, egg cups, etc. so why not meatloaf cups?

This recipe is NOT my usual meatloaf recipe. My usual meatloaf recipe includes a meatloaf mix (ground beef, veal, and pork), eggs, and does not include spinach. Tonight I wanted to get dinner done quickly, and get the most bang for my buck.

The result is a meatloaf cup with spinach in there to pack in some green veggie loving, and you honestly won’t even notice it’s there. My husband didn’t. Your kids probably won’t. Unless they insist on picking out every green thing they see… then you need to try something else. You definitely won’t TASTE any spinach, but it will taste darn delicious.

I hope you enjoy the meatloaf cups! I’d love to hear your feedback if you try it!

Mini-Meatloaf Cups

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 35 mins

Makes 12 mini-meatloaf cups

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs meatloaf
• 2 flax eggs
• 1 diced shallot
• 2 large garlic cloves (or 4 small ones)
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 4 tbsp bbq sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ)
• 3 cups chopped fresh baby spinach

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees (F).
2. Mix flax eggs and let it sit for 5 mins.
3. While it sits, chop shallot and garlic. Then add to flax egg.
4. Add chopped baby spinach, ground beef, onion powder, parsley, salt & pepper, and BBQ sauce.
5. Mix thoroughly. Then form large meatballs out of the mixture. Place into cupcake pan and push down lightly to shape.
6. Bake in oven at 450 degrees F for 30 mins. I would recommend placing a cookie sheet under the cupcake pan just in case any liquids ooze out and over the sides of the cupcake pan.
7. Then take out of oven, top with a little more BBQ sauce (brush on if you have one) then bake for 2 more minutes.
8. Take out of oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
9. Enjoy!

Advertisement