Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Muffins (Printable Version)
Mini meatloaf muffins filled with creamy macaroni cheese, perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Meatloaf Mixture
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/2 lb ground pork
03 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
04 - 1/4 cup milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1/2 small onion, finely diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
→ Mac and Cheese Filling
13 - 1 cup elbow macaroni
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
16 - 3/4 cup milk
17 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
18 - 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Topping
20 - 1/3 cup cheddar cheese, grated
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
02 - Boil a pot of salted water and cook macaroni until just al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Remove saucepan from heat and stir in grated cheddar and mustard powder until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in cooked macaroni and let cool slightly.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir until just combined.
06 - Press about 2 tablespoons meat mixture into the bottom and up sides of each muffin cup, forming wells in the center.
07 - Spoon a heaping tablespoon of mac and cheese into each meatloaf well.
08 - Top each muffin with a thin layer of remaining meat mixture, ensuring the cheese filling is covered.
09 - Sprinkle each muffin with grated cheddar cheese.
10 - Bake for 25–30 minutes, until meat is cooked through and tops are golden brown.
11 - Let muffins cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing from the tin. Serve warm.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Perfect for meal prep and parties
- Kid-friendly and easy to serve in individual portions
02 -
- This recipe contains dairy egg and gluten
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef and pork
03 -
- Grease muffin tins well to ensure easy release
- Let muffins cool slightly before removing for best texture