Description
This Easy Italian Mini Meatloaf recipe combines ground beef and Italian sausage seasoned with traditional Italian herbs and spices, baked in a muffin tin for convenient, individual servings. Topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, it’s a perfect quick weeknight dinner with a flavorful twist on classic meatloaf.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Topping
- Extra marinara sauce for topping
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare muffin tin. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Mix meatloaf ingredients. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, milk, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and 1/2 cup marinara sauce. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatloaf.
- Divide mixture into muffin cups. Evenly distribute the meat mixture among 10 muffin cups, pressing lightly to shape each mini meatloaf.
- Bake the mini meatloaves. Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the meat starts to set.
- Add marinara and cheese toppings. Remove muffin tin from oven, spoon a little extra marinara sauce onto each mini meatloaf, and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Finish baking. Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese melts and the meatloaf is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).
- Rest and serve. Let the mini meatloaves rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Swap ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- These mini meatloaves freeze well and are great for meal prep.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
