Description
Meatloaf cupcakes with whipped potato topping are a delightful mini version of the classic comfort dish. Individual servings of savory meatloaf are baked in muffin tins, topped with creamy whipped mashed potatoes, and optionally broiled for a golden finish, making them perfect for family dinners, parties, or kid-friendly meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Cupcakes
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Whipped Potato Topping
- 1 ½ lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup milk or cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin to ensure the meatloaf cupcakes do not stick during baking.
- Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid a dense texture.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Divide the meat mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, pressing down gently to fill each cup uniformly for even cooking.
- Bake Meatloaf Cupcakes: Bake the filled muffin tin for 20–25 minutes or until an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) is reached, ensuring the meat is fully cooked.
- Cook Potatoes: While meatloaf bakes, boil peeled and chopped potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and mash with butter, milk or cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy, creating the whipped potato topping.
- Rest and Top: After baking, remove the meatloaf cupcakes from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes. Then, pipe or spoon the mashed potatoes on top of each cupcake evenly.
- Optional Broil: For a golden-brown finish, place the topped cupcakes under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make ahead by preparing meatloaf cupcakes and topping separately; reheat before serving.
- Mix shredded cheese into mashed potatoes for added richness and flavor.
- Use a piping bag to create decorative mashed potato swirls on top for an elegant presentation.
- To make gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
