Description
Savory mini meatloaf muffins dance with creamy potato frosting, creating a playful twist on classic comfort food. Hearty bites promise satisfaction, blending juicy meat and silky potato peaks you’ll crave at first glance.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 egg
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Topping and Garnish:
- 1 cup (240 grams) mashed potatoes
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a mini muffin tin by greasing or lining with paper liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, egg, diced onion, chopped bell pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Carefully distribute the meat mixture into each muffin cup, gently pressing down to create compact, uniform meatloaf muffins.
- Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, ensuring the meatloaf muffins are fully cooked and develop a golden-brown top.
- During baking, prepare mashed potatoes using your preferred method, whether homemade or instant, maintaining a smooth and creamy consistency.
- After removing the meatloaf muffins from the oven, allow them to cool slightly for easier handling.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to a piping bag with a star tip, or use a spoon to create decorative mounds of potato “frosting” atop each meatloaf muffin.
- Enhance the presentation by sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese over the mashed potato topping and garnishing with fresh parsley for added color and flavor.
- Serve these whimsical Mini Meatloaf Muffins immediately as a playful appetizer or satisfying main course.
Notes
- Customize meat mixture by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for different dietary preferences.
- Enhance flavor profiles by adding finely chopped herbs like rosemary or sage to the meat mixture for extra depth.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground meat and low-fat milk, creating a lighter version of the dish without compromising taste.
- Experiment with different potato toppings like roasted garlic mashed potatoes or sweet potato mash to create unique variations and keep the recipe exciting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 312 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg