Individual serving Mini BBQ Bacon-Cheddar Meatloaf Recipe - smoky barbecue glazed meatloaves packed full of cheesy bacon deliciousness. Made in half the time and perfect for a meal any day of the week.
Weeknight meals can often be a challenge. Trying to keep things fresh and new, while keeping them quick, easy, and most of all really delicious can be difficult to pull off week after week.
Meatloaves are easy to put together but may take too much time after a long day. But it doesn't have to take an hour to cook if you make them individual sized or "mini".
These bite sized BBQ Bacon Cheddar Meatloaves are really packed with flavor and are a nice change up from the typical ketchup based version. Making for a Sunday style dinner any night of the week!
However, if you're looking for a typical style meatloaf, this Instant Pot Meatloaf and Potatoes can be made in a cinch too!
What typically goes in a meatloaf?
A traditional meatloaf recipe has ground beef, some kind of filler like bread crumbs or crackers, some spices, egg, and a meatloaf sauce or topping. The ingredients can vary, but the base is usually the same, a mixture of meat and seasonings, shaped into a loaf. In this case the loaves are just miniature!
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What INGREDIENTS make the Mini BBQ Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf so Tasty?
- Using Chili Sauce instead of ketchup gives them a little extra zing.
- Just the right amount of seasoning and a touch of Worcestershire and Yellow Mustard make this delish.
- Panko bread crumbs add extra crunch factor.
- Using your favorite BBQ lends to just the right taste for you and your family! This is our favorite store bought BBQ Sauce!
- And must we not forget the Bacon and Cheddar. I think they speak for themselves, but life is just better with both of these! (in my humble opinion)
- Creating a mini version allows you to cook in half the time!
How do you Keep a meatloaf moist?
Don’t over mix: The trick to moist meatloaf is not over mixing it when you are making it. You want to just combine the ingredients, if you work it too much it will become tough.
Don't over cook: Overcooking can make the meatloaf dry out and taste like you are chewing on cardboard.
Don't over fill: Too much bread crumb filling can make the center too doughy and dry.
Pro Tip: If you add too many breadcrumbs and started mixing just add in a little buttermilk or milk to help add moisture back in.
What are the perfect Sides to go with Meatloaf
- Southern Style Baby Lima Beans
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese or Baked Mac and Cheese
- Southern Style Green Beans
- Black Eyed Peas
- Columbia's 1905 Salad
Although you can never go wrong feeding your family what they love, here are a few great sides your family is sure to love with this Mini BBQ Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf!
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Mini BBQ Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 6 ounces chili sauce
- 4 slices thick bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar or cheddar blend cheese
- ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 tp granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ cup prepared BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cook and crumble bacon.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together all meatloaf ingredients except the BBQ sauce.
- Divide the mixture into 8 round loaves. Press a small depression into the middle of the meatloaves.
- Brush BBQ sauce on top of the meatloaves.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Turn on broiler and brown the BBQ sauce for 2 to 5 minutes.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Kara Mellett says
This recipe is excellent!! Tender and tasty! I wasn't so sure about the barbecue sauce but it makes the meatloaf, gives it a little sweet zest! Love it! Thanks so much!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Kara! I am so glad you enjoyed it! The BBQ does give it some extra zest and flavor! You can also change it up with the kind of BBQ sauce you use.
Carol says
I made these and oh my gosh, they were so good! So flavorful, and my family loved them. Thank you for sharing the recipe through Mandy.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you so much, Carol! I am thrilled your family enjoyed these. So happy that Mandy shared this recipe with her friends!
Anne O,halloran says
Hi i've just made a batch and not only do they smell fantastic they taste fantastic. I had some feta cheese to use up so i added that and put chillie flakes in instead of sauce.
Just noticed you recommend freezing before cooking...ooops now it looks like i'll have to eat them all.....😅
Thank you for sharing. x
Nikki Lee says
I am so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you so much!
Justin says
Wow the flavor, and the simplicity of the recipe, that wAs amazing
Nikki Lee says
Thank you so much, Justin!
Debbie says
I found this recipe thru Mandy in the Making. Her family loved it and now mine does too.
Thank you for a delightful change.
I can't wait to try the Pineapple Casserole (Scalloped Pineapple)...I lost the recipe years ago and am glad to have it again.
Thanks, Nikki!
Nikki Lee says
Debbie, I am so glad you found us! I cannot wait to hear what you think about pineapple casserole too! Hopefully, it's what you remember. We love it!
Jeanette says
I'm not a huge meatloaf fan, but these were delicious. So much flavor packed into them. My husband was a big fan of these as well. Definitely adding this recipe to my meal rotation!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you so much, Jeanette! I am so glad you both enjoyed them!
Renee Lee says
I love this and I haven’t even fixed it yet. I wrote the recipe and I can’t wait to make it. Thanks Mandy I watch you and Steven everyday. Thanks
Nikki Lee says
Hi, Renee! I am Nikki and Mandy shared my recipe on her YouTube Channel. I am so glad you found me and hope you enjoy it as much as she and her family did! Thank you for stopping by and saying hello! I hope you follow along and look forward to sharing more delicious food with you!
Kathleen Pope says
Made these last night and wow were they good! So easy and I love how quickly they cooked, super crispy on the edges, moist and so flavorful on the inside!
May says
Has anyone used Italian style breadcrumbs instead?
Nikki Lee says
I always use panko with this recipe. They are a little more airy and crunchy. But breadcrumbs will work as well.
Veronica says
This looks amazing! Any thoughts on how it would work with ground turkey instead?
Nikki Lee says
I have not tried with ground turkey, but it should work well. You may want to add a touch of milk as it can be a little bit drier than ground beef.
Rachelle D Seely says
I've used ground turkey, with this recipe and it turned out wonderful.
Ebony says
This recipe looks amazing! I'm sure my husband and children will enjoy this one. Can I use sriracha for this recipe? I'm trying not to go out to the store for the one chilli sauce. It is -17 degrees Celsius here and it would just be a headache.
Nikki Lee says
Chili sauce is much milder than Sriracha. If you have tomato sauce, you can sb with that and a touch of brown sugar, a splash of vinegar, and sriracha to taste mixed together. If not you can mix ketchup with a little sriracha too. Hope that helps! Brr -17 stay warm! I hope you enjoy!
Jacqueline says
What brand of bbq sauce do you use? Any specific flavor? Thanks
Nikki Lee says
I either use KC Masterpiece original or the sauce made from my Slow Cooker Beef Brisket. I hope you enjoy!
Tish says
What chili sauce is used in recipe?
Nikki Lee says
I use Heinz Chili Sauce.
Beth says
The whole recipe would be a bit much (I'm sure I could halve it) and I'm wondering if I could freeze it? Before or after baking? Thanks, these look delicious!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
I would freeze before cooking. Then thaw and bake when you are ready.
Carlee says
What a fun dinner idea! Not only do they cook faster when they are mini, you get to have a whole meatloaf to yourself! 😉
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you Carlee! I love the crispy edges on each one! I don't have to fight for that end piece lol!
Norine Rogers says
These mini meat loaves look so good. Can't wait to try them. I know the family will love them.
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you so much! They are a family favorite for us too! I hope you all love them as well!
Julia says
You've done it again! I'm drooling here!! This looks so delicious.
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you so much!
Julie Menghini says
This recipe looks like everything that I crave! Being mini makes them a great appetizer or deliciousfor dinner!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you Julie!
Michelle says
Great new addition to my dinner line up! These mini meatloaves are fantastic!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you Michelle!