MINI MEATLOAF RECIPE with CHEDDAR CHEESE (2024)

Published by Nellie on July 9, 2019

Mini Cheddar Meatloaves made with just 6 common ingredients in under an hour! Mini Meatloaf is so easy to make- just shape and top with our special 3 ingredient sauce and bake. This meatloaf recipe is gluten free, low in carbs and absolutely delicious!

Mini Cheddar Meatloaves have become a new favorite dinner recipe at my house. A friend gave me this recipe quite a while ago and I admit that I kept putting it off because meatloaf has never been one of my favorites. I finally decided to try it and now my whole perspective on meatloaf has changed – this is absolutely amazing!

How do you make a moist meatloaf?

I like to make a moist meatloaf by adding one simple ingredient- CHEESE! I would have never thought of adding cheese to the meat, but it adds a wonderful flavor and it keeps the meatloaf from being too dry. I used mild cheddar shredded cheese but any variety of cheese would probably be delicious. I think next time I will try a cheddar/Monterey Jack blend or maybe even mozzarella!

Another ingredient that adds moisture in this meatloaf recipe is milk. This recipe also does not call for bread crumbs like many other meatloaf recipes which I really love.

How long do you cook mini meatloaf?

I love the mini meatloaf concept – these meatloaves are pre-portioned making them easy to serve and they bake faster! These mini meatloaves bake for just 40-45 minutes. I think they look pretty on a plate too. I’m sure that you could make this recipe in a loaf pan and it would still be delicious, but this way you don’t have to slice the meatloaf in order to serve it.

How to make sauce for meatloaf

You only need three basic ingredients to make the incredible sauce that goes on top – ketchup, dried mustard and brown sugar. Don’t leave the sauce off either; it’s the best part of the recipe! The sauce recipe makes enough to drizzle over each mini meatloaf, but when I make this mini meatloaf recipe, my husband always asks me to double (or even triple!) the sauce because he loves it so much.

Ingredients in Mini Meatloaf Recipe with Cheddar Cheese

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 lb. ground beef

How to make Mini Cheddar Meatloaves

1. Beat egg and milk together. Stir in cheese, chopped onion and salt.
2. Add the entire mixture to ground beef.
3. Shape into 8 small loaves. I have found that the easiest way to do this is to use my hands! Place the mini meatloaves in a greased 9×13 pan.
4. Prepare the sauce and pour on top of each loaf and then bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Ingredients in Meatloaf Sauce

• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 tsp dried mustard
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

How to make sauce for meatloaf

You only need three basic ingredients to make the incredible sauce that goes on top – ketchup, dried mustard and brown sugar. Don’t leave the sauce off either; it’s the best part of the recipe! The sauce recipe makes enough to drizzle over each mini meatloaf, but when I make this mini meatloaf recipe, my husband always asks me to double (or even triple!) the sauce because he loves it so much.

If you double the sauce, you can save some of it and warm it up in a saucepan to use as a dip also. It’s so simple, but it really is fantastic!

What to serve with meatloaf?

We love to pair meatloaf with potatoes! Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, fried potatoes, alfredo twice-baked potatoes, scalloped potatoes…for some reason, meatloaf just tastes better with potatoes! Add a green vegetable (asparagus, broccoli, green beans) and you have a complete, well balanced meal!

Is meatloaf gluten free?

This meatloaf recipe is completely gluten free. Some meatloaf recipes have breadcrumbs in them, but this recipe does not. This meatloaf is a wonderful low-carb, high protein meal option!

Need some other main dish ideas? We’ve got tons!

• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
• Bacon Grilled Cheese
• Easy Cheeseburger Recipe
• Cheesy Meatball Bites
• Easy Ranch Sausage Rolls
• Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
• Best Homemade Chicken Strips
• Easy Salsa Chicken
• Garlic Butter Pan Fried Steak
• Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
• Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew
• Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Mini Cheddar Meatloaves are gluten free and low in carbs! This mini meatloaf recipe is made with just 6 common ingredients in under an hour! The special 3 ingredient sauce on top is amazing too!