Free Printable: Six EASY Keto Mug Cake Recipes!

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Joy Filled Eats logo

  • About & Contact
    • Support Joy Filled Eats
  • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Filters
    • Low Carb & Keto
    • 5 Ingredient Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverage Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Crock Pot & Instant Pot
      • Keto Air Fryer Recipes
    • Dairy Free Recipes
    • Desserts
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Candies
      • Cookies & Bars
      • Ice Cream & Frozen Treats
      • Pastries
      • Pies & Tarts
    • Main Dishes
      • Casseroles
      • Chicken
      • Pork & Beef
      • Soups
    • Side Dishes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Trim Healthy Mama
      • THM E Recipes
      • THM FP Recipes
      • THM S Recipes
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Keto Christmas Recipes
      • Keto Easter Recipes
      • Keto Pumpkin Recipes
      • Keto Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Cookbooks
    • Keto eBook Bundle
    • Keto Christmas Cookies
    • 5-Ingredient Keto Dinners Cookbook
    • Low Carb Dessert Cookbook
    • Low Carb Breakfast Cookbook
    • Low Carb Appetizers Cookbook
    • Free Printables & Guides
      • Free Mug Cake Cheat Sheet
      • Free Cookie Cheat Sheet
      • Free Keto Baking Guide
  • Work With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About & Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipe Filters
  • Joy Filled Eats Cookbooks!
  • Work With Me
  • Resources & Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Main Dish Recipes » Muffin Tin Meatloaves

    Muffin Tin Meatloaves

    Gluten & Grain Free RecipesLow Carb & Keto RecipesTrim Healthy Mama Recipes

    Published: Oct 24, 2019 by Taryn

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
    Print Recipe Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image for mini mozzarella stuffed meatloaves
    pinterest image for mini mozzarella stuffed meatloaves

    Muffin tin meatloaves are one of the best things I have eaten in a long time! They are so much faster to make than traditional meatloaf. Plus, they are so juicy and packed with flavors you won't forget. The kids will eat them like there is no tomorrow too. This easy recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly. 

    close up of plate with mini meatloaves served with a side of roasted green beans

    collage of food
    Free Guide! Feed a Family on a Low Carb Diet

    In this free 5-day email series learn all my tips for incorporating a low-carb lifestyle into the life of your family.

    I know that it can be utter torture for you and your kids to try to sweet talk them into eating their veggies. Well, I have a little secret for you. If you hide veggies in some of your main courses, odds are no one is even going to notice. That can be so much easier than sticking a giant helping of vegetables on their plates. 

    Thankfully, my kids do pretty good at eating vegetables, but I know that there are many who don't. That was part of my philosophy behind these mini meatloaves in muffin tins. I can sneak in some extra nutrients, and they will gobble it up before they know what hit them. So, give these a try, and you will be amazed at how fast they disappear. 

    overhead shot of fork and plate with three mini meatloaves and a serving of roasted green beans next to mini muffin tin and salt and pepper shakers.

    How To Make Muffin Tin Meatloaves

    Step 1: Prepare an 18-hole muffin tin with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 

    TIP: If you would rather use aluminum cupcake liners instead of cooking spray, that's fine. It makes cleaning up much easier and faster. 

    overhead view of mixing bowl containing ingredients for mini meatloaves mixture surrounding by kitchen essentials and muffin tin

    Step 2: Mix together the ground turkey or beef, grated zucchini, egg, shredded cheese, garlic, onion, and salt. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the meatloaf mixture amongst the muffin tins. They should all be relatively close in size. 

    overhead view of mini meatloaves mixture in muffin tin before baking

    Step 3: Take a small cube of mozzarella cheese and add it to each mini meatloaf. Press it inside and cover with sauce. 

    Step 4: Bake until cooked all the way through and serve. Enjoy!

    overhead view of mini muffin tin filled with tiny meatloaves topped with sauce before cooking

    Muffin Tin Meatloaves Variations

    You know I had mentioned hiding veggies in some of the meals I make. Well, you can hide more than zucchini in these meatloaves. I wanted to give you a few different ideas. Keep in mind; I would hide them all at once. You can just vary it from meal to meal. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 

    • Carrots - Grate them really fine and toss some in. I would just use one or two carrots, so it's not a ton. They have a natural sweetness that will go lovely in this dish. 
    • Bell Peppers - Most kids aren't too keen on cooked bell peppers. Make sure they are diced up pretty small, and they won't even notice. 
    • Celery - It provides a slight crunch and lots of flavor to the muffin tin meatloaves. Try it, and you will love it!
    • Spinach - If you eat spinach very often, you know that it's doesn't add a lot of flavors. You're adding nutrients, and they probably won't even notice the color in there. 
    • Broccoli - I recommend making the broccoli pieces really small. Broccoli is so tasty, especially when you eat it in meatloaf. 

    overhead view of muffin tin filled with mini meatloaves ready for plating

    How Much Faster Is It To Cook Mini Meatloaves vs. Regular Meatloaf?

    My mini meatloaves take around 30-35 minutes to bake. When you bake a traditional full-sized meatloaf, you are looking 1 hour to 1 ½ hours. So, if you are short on time, making mini meatloaves is the way to go because, at a minimum, it cuts the cooking time in half. 

    How Do You Store Muffin Tin Meatloaves?

    Store the muffin tin meatloaves in an airtight container. You could use a ziplock bag, plastic container, or glass depending on whichever you have on hand. They will last 3-5 days in the fridge. 

    If you ever notice they have a funny odor, seem dried out, or are really liquidy, they have started to go bad, so I recommend tossing them. Mold growing is another indicator that they are no longer good. 

    close up of platter serving mini meatloaves covered in a red sauce and melted cheese

    How Do You Reheat Muffin Tin Meatloaves?

    The fastest way to reheat the meatloaf muffins is to warm them in the microwave. Just place them on a plate, cover with a paper towel, and heat them for 30 seconds or so. If you cook them too long, they will pop and shoot sauce all over the microwave, so less is more. They heat up fast, so check them every 30 seconds then reheat until they are hot enough. 

    You could also warm them in the oven for 10-15 minutes. I recommend 350 degrees F. You'll just want them hot and try not to bake them longer than that. Otherwise, they may dry out. 

    overhead view of platter with mini meatloaves on small dish of red sauce placed on a blue and white plaid napkin

    Can You Freeze Muffin Tin Meatloaves?

    Yes, absolutely, you can freeze keto meatloaf muffins very quickly. I like to flash freeze them first, so they don't stick together. If you don't know how to flash freeze, it's super easy. Just set the mini meatloaf muffins on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Then when they have frozen pretty firm, place them in an airtight container. 

    Defrost them the night before then reheat when ready to serve. They're perfect for meal prepping and planning!

    In the mood for even more flavorful meatloaf recipes? Try some of these mouthwatering dishes:

    Stuffed Meatloaf with Cheese

    BBQ Cheddar Bacon Meatloaf

    Ground Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

    overhead view of muffin tin filled with mini meatloaves next to a salt and pepper shaker and a plate with three mini meatloaves, fork, and a large serving of roasted green beans

     

    Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!

    close up overhead view of fork sticking into mini meatloaf on a plate with other mini meatloaves and a serving of roasted green beans next to muffin tin with other mini meatloaves

    Muffin Tin Meatloaves

    Muffin tin meatloaves are the best! They are so much faster to make than traditional meatloaves and just as tasty.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian, Italian American
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 269
    Author: Taryn

    Ingredients

    • 1.25 - 1.5 lb ground turkey or beef
    • 1 medium zucchini grated
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup grated asiago or parmesan cheese
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 8 oz mozzarella cheese cut into 18 cubes
    • 8 oz keto marinara sauce
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400. Spray 18 holes of two regular sized muffin tins with cooking spray. Or line with foil liners for easier cleanup and then spray.
    • Stir together meat, grated zucchini, egg, grated cheese, garlic, onion, and salt. Divide the meat between the holes of the prepared muffin tins. Press one cube of mozzarella into each meatloaf. Spoon a little sauce on each.
    • Bake for 30-35 minutes until cooked through. Serve with additional sauce if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 3mini meatloaves | Calories: 269 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 949mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 8.7mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 1.7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @joyfilledeats or tag #joyfilledeats!

    Originally Published January 26, 2017. Revised and Republished October 24, 2019.

     

    90139shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    « Magic Cookie Bars
    Lemon Drizzle Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea says

      February 11, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      These are really good but beware that the sauce might run over the cups and into the bottom of the oven making for a smoky house. I have to put extra cookie sheets under mine to catch the run off.5 stars

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        February 12, 2021 at 8:30 am

        Thanks for the tip! Using an extra-large muffin tin could help too.

        Reply
    2. Carrie says

      October 08, 2020 at 7:47 pm

      I have made these several times and my whole family loves them! I'm curious...have you ever used ground chicken? Just wondered if they would turn out as well as the turkey. Thank you for this great recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        October 09, 2020 at 11:23 am

        I haven't because we prefer ground turkey but I'm sure it would work!

        Reply
    3. Byron says

      June 11, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      I'm making it now but the oven temp says 350 degrees at beginning of article but 400 degrees below the ingredients in the instructions. Does it make a difference?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        June 12, 2020 at 11:13 am

        Sorry for the delay. Either temp will work but the cook time will differ a bit. I will edit the post to clarify!

        Reply
    4. Chelsea says

      February 18, 2019 at 11:35 pm

      I’ve been doing keto for a while so I’m always looking for ways to switch it up a little bit. These were delicious! It’s so nice to find a keto friendly recipe that my whole family loves. (I didn’t tell them there was zucchini in it, and they would never know!) My only question is, I know zucchini naturally has a lot of moisture, I even wrung it out a little, but there was still a lot of liquid in the bottom of each muffin tin. Do you try and get out the moisture first or just deal with it? Thanks again!5 stars

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        February 19, 2019 at 12:38 pm

        I just ignore the moisture. You could add some coconut flour to absorb it if you want.

        Reply
    5. Marie says

      August 06, 2018 at 7:43 pm

      Made these and they were awesome! I used deer meat cause that was all I had. Loved how the zucchini was hidden in there no one knew it was there. Will be making again for sure.5 stars

      Reply
    6. Emily says

      June 10, 2018 at 10:23 pm

      So delicious! I used spinach instead of zucchini and added Italian seasoning to the meat mixture. Next time I will decrease the salt a bit as I found it too salty. Served with green beans and roasted potatoes (for the carb eaters in the family). Will definitely make again!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Ana says

      June 03, 2018 at 3:37 pm

      Do you cook the beef before putting these in the oven?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        June 03, 2018 at 5:24 pm

        No, it cooks in the oven as they bake.

        Reply
    8. Donna M Barry says

      April 17, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      Is it ok to leave the zucchini out?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        April 18, 2018 at 8:29 am

        Yes, or you could sub in spinach.

        Reply
    9. denise remy says

      March 25, 2018 at 3:04 pm

      So these freeze well?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        March 25, 2018 at 10:20 pm

        Yes, they are very similar to meatballs and those always freeze well.

        Reply
    10. Deborah says

      August 01, 2017 at 1:08 pm

      Any suggestions instead of Zucchini?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        August 02, 2017 at 1:00 pm

        Spinach would sub in well.

        Reply
    11. Rachel says

      July 19, 2017 at 6:08 am

      These are on our rotation. Easy. Fun. Yummy. The trifecta of taste!

      Reply
    12. Brenda says

      July 10, 2017 at 10:16 am

      How "big" is a medium zucchini, or, in other words, how much grated zucchini, to you use?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        July 10, 2017 at 12:55 pm

        About 1 cup of shredded zucchini.

        Reply
    13. Amber says

      July 03, 2017 at 8:41 pm

      I made these for dinner tonight, my whole family loved them!! They're delicious!!5 stars

      Reply
    14. Sara Jones says

      May 17, 2017 at 5:10 pm

      Made these for dinner tonight. We loved them. I will make these again! Thank you.

      Reply
    15. Dolores says

      March 02, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      I made these last and the were delicious. My husband said I really put my foot in this. Definitely making these again.

      Reply
    16. Sandie says

      February 15, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      These were absolutely delicious! Served with cheesy asparagus and my husband said that was a delicious meal I should make over and over! Thank you. You don't even know there's zucchini hidden inside!5 stars

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    About & Contact

    Joy Filled Eats Founder

    Hello and welcome to Joy Filled Eats! Your go-to website for easy delicious recipes that fit into a gluten-free, sugar-free, low carb, keto, and Trim Healthy Mama

    recipe key


    FREE Cookie Cheat Sheet!

    Make Five Delicious Keto Cookie Recipes from one EASY dough!

    Recent Posts

    • Keto Steak Marinade
    • Keto Brownie Bites
    • Keto Caramel Pecan Sauce

    Featured On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Decadent Sugar Free Cakes

    glazed lemon pound cake slices fanned out on a plate close up

    Keto Lemon Pound Cake

    Overhead close up view of keto coffee cake muffin in metal muffin tin

    Keto Coffee Cake Muffins

    one of the keto cupcakes sitting on its wrapper with a bite missing

    Keto Cupcakes

    More Recipes

    Easy 5 Ingredient Recipes

    close up of inside of keto steak marinade steak

    Keto Steak Marinade

    close up of caramel pecan sauce

    Keto Caramel Pecan Sauce

    close up of hand holding up one of the sugar-free popsicles

    Sugar-Free Popsicles

    More Recipes

    Buy Me a Coffee

    Love my recipes? I love coffee. Buy me a cup in thanks.

    coffee cup with jfe logo

    Joy Filled Eats Cookbooks

    Joy Filled Eats Cookbooks

    Breakfast & Brunch
    Appetizers & Snacks
    5-Ingredient Dinners
    Desserts

    stay connected

    Free Email Series: Learn How To Eat Low Carb as a Family

    Footer

    Categories

    • Keto & Low Carb
    • Gluten & Grain Free
    • Sugar Free Recipes
    • Trim Healthy Mama
    • Dairy Free
    • 5 Ingredients
    JFE logo

    disclosures

    • Disclosure Policy
    • Comment Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Nutrition Disclaimer
    • Resources & Tips
    • Support Joy Filled Eats
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All recipes, headnotes, photos, and stories on this site are the original creations and property of Joy Filled Eats. You are welcome to share a photo and link to the recipe from this site, however, re-publishing the recipe in its entirety is strictly forbidden.

    Copyright © 2022 JOY FILLED EATS