Remember when I posted these, and wrote about the instant aversion my kids have towards meatloaf? They can’t get enough meatballs, but when I use that same recipe and make a loaf out of it, something happens. Well, I just solved the problem for all the mothers out there looking to get their kids to eat meatloaf. MEATLOAF CUPCAKES!!!!
The other week a friend of mine at work came by to tell me about this awesome bakery in Chicago, called the MeatLoaf Bakery. She described the meatloaf cupcakes and instantly my mind went racing – mostly to the decorations. Bacon, chives, shredded cheese, black olives, a ketchup dollop on the top – I just couldn’t stop myself. Then reality set it – but would my kids actually get into this? Oh boy did they ever. They begged me to make them every night for weeks, until I finally got up the nerve. Mostly I was concerned about piping the mashed potatoes, I wanted to make sure I make them creamy enough, yet mildly stiff, so that they would hold their shape perfectly. Mashed potatoes were never my strength. Well – I went with two recipes from Cooking Light (adapted slightly), and they were winners. The kids loved EVERYTHING about these cupcakes – they even ate the mashed potatoes which I have never been successful at getting them to eat. These were just about the greatest dinner ever.
So – for all your Moms out there – this one is definitely for you. Please make them with your kids and watch them inhale the meatloaf – be sure to take pictures, so people believe you. I never would have believed it myself…
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup ketchup, divided
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- Cooking spray
Mashed Potatoes
- 4 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potato (about 2 pounds)
- 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
- 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives
- 4 pieces of bacon cooked and them chopped
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.
Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the meatloaf is cooking, make the mashed potatoes. Place potato in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Put potatoes into a ricer for best results. Return potato to pan. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a spoon to desired consistency. If they are not creamy enough for you, add up to 1/4 cup more milk – although they need to be stiff enough to pipe on top.
Put the potatoes into a pastry bag with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and chopped chives.
For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here: Meatloaf Cupcakes
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Tags: Easy weeknight dinner, Great for Kids, Meatloaf Cupcakes
Dawn
oh my gosh, that is the cutest thing i’ve ever seen!! i have to try this the next time i make meatloaf!!
Thanks Kat!!
I will have to try these! They looks so good! Great recipe idea for meatloaf!
They look even better than those from the Meatloaf Bakery. Love it!
Thanks Karen, and again, thanks for the idea!!!
These are so cute – I can’t wait to try these on my kids!
Please do – and let me know what they think of them!
i am so amazed.. Got some lean beef on sale and thought , gee why can;t I put meatloaf in a muffin pan and make meat loaf cupcakes for just my husband and I. They came out wonderful. . I looked on the internet and found you. Thank you so much for the great ideas.
So glad to hear that!!
I must say, cupcakes are really the “IN” thing. Every birthday party, or any other party for that matter would have a cupcake centerpiece or cupcake giveaways and other cupcake stuff. I have never tried a savory cupcake that is why I am very eager to try this out. I love decorating cupcakes and I am sure I can use the same styles with this meatloaf recipe, but this time, I’ll be using cream, catsup, mustard (perhaps….) and bacon bits instead of candy sprinkles. I can’t wait to get my hands busy with these cute meatloaf cupcakes! Brilliant post!
Oh yes, cupcakes are definitely in – and pies are close behind…
Very creative! My husband isn’t really into cupcakes – but this may change his mind. This could also be a great finger food for parties.
Oh yes, I didn’t think of that – making them in mini-muffins tins would be adorable!!
Have you or anyone else tried these in mini-muffin tins? i know it’s been a few months since this comment above. I was just wondering if you had experimented with the time required to cook in the mini size.
I never did try these in a mini-muffin tin. I would just cut the time in half, depending on the size of your mini tins.
These are adorable!! Love your blog!
Thanks – adorable and nutritious, the best combination!
This might be the sexiest meatloaf I have ever seen! Well done!
Thanks very much!!
This is the best idea for kids! I never would have thought of this. However, if I had kids these probably wouldn’t just get eaten by them… These are much more fun than the regular version.
This is awesome! It might even get me to eat meatloaf! I mean how cute are these Dawn?! I have to learn how to do piping like this – and I have to find this bakery! We’re down in that area at least once a week…I’m thinking that might be a good lunch stop!
Love them! What a wonderful idea!
I’ve enjoyed the treats at Meatloaf Bakery. They have a marvelous array of creative combinations. I never thought about trying it at home until now. My daughter would love (and eat) these!
Thanks – and I am sure she will love these!!
I love these, they are way cuter than the cakepops!
Thanks Sarah – I love them both!
Hi There
Just wondering if you had a suggestion at all, I’m hoping to make these as a side for Christmas lunch, could I make them a day in advance? And just reheat? or would you suggest making the meat loaf and the mashed potato, re-heating separatley when ready to serve and then putting them together just before serving? appreciate your help
Thanks
If you have to make them ahead of time, I would just make the meatloaf cupcakes, then warm them up while you make the potaotes and then pipe them on right before you are ready to serve. Good luck!!
I made these for my boyfriend’s birthday and they were so good!! LOVE this recipe!!
So glad you liked them!!
I just made these on my blog http://www.azestybite.com/2012/02/meatloaf-cupcakes.html. They turned out so good and so cute. Job well done!
I will have to try these! They look so good! Great idea for a meatloaf recipe!
You will love them, thanks so much!
Adorable, and I’m sure VERY tastey!
Thanks Heidi!!
My daughter and I just made these to play an April Fools trick on my husband. He completely fell for it but finally tried them and loved them. Everyone said that we have to make them again. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
I love it – great April Fools trick!!
I made these last for dinner using your exact recipe! They were fabulous!! The meatloaf is very flavorful and moist and the potatoes were the perfect tasty topping. I just scooped the potatoes on top for a more rustic look and they were so cute and so delicious. I’ll be making these again!
Thanks for the recipe!
Sorry, I make these meatloaf cupcakes, and they were the worst meatloaf I have ever eated. No flavor there at all. Followed the receipe just how it was printed. Will not ever make this again. I had to throw this away in the garbage. It was that bad.
Sorry to hear that – so many other people have loved the recipe. Everyone has different tastes!