This healthy meatloaf muffin recipe is a super easy recipe made with pantry staples that will quickly become your family’s go-to meal. They can also be made ahead as freezer meals to pull out throughout the week.
These days, I’m all about finding healthy easy recipes that can be made ahead, frozen as freezer meals, and then reheated throughout the week. After a full day of work and parenting two little people, I just don’t always have time to make dinner from scratch. Sound familiar? I’m sure it does.
This is why this healthy meatloaf muffin recipe is a god send during those hectic weeknights when I just can’t be bothered to prepare dinner. I just pull them out of the fridge or freezer, pair it with a quickie salad, and dinner is on the table in no time. Don’t we all just LOVE that?
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
Meatloaf has always been a staple in my house. My mom used to make them when we were kids, so I still get cravings today. I prefer making mine into meatloaf muffins instead of a traditional full loaf because I like getting a little more caramelization action all around the edges of the muffin pans. More caramelization = more flavour = more smiles at the table.
This meatloaf muffin recipe is definitely not traditional, but let’s be honest, meatloaf screams 1950s. It was begging for a trendy little upgrade and the flavours of the Greek islands work perfectly.
Key Ingredients
Lean Ground Beef – For this recipe, I like to use grass fed extra lean ground beef. But thats my personal preference. You can, of course, use any type of ground meat that you prefer.
Oats – Instead of bread crumbs, I prefer to use gluten free oats as a binger to add a little more nutritional value.
Spinach – You can use fresh or frozen spinach to add some extra nutrition and Greek vibes.
Feta – Again, Greek vibes. Nothing screams Greek food like feta cheese so this ingredient is very important.
Tomato Sauce – I like to add tomato sauce to these meatloaf muffins to still give it that sauciness we love in a traditional meatloaf while changing up the flavour profile.
Herbs – I try to bring lots of Greek flavour to this recipe by using oregano, mint, and parsley.
Lemon – One lemon goes a long way here, as I use the juice and zest of one lemon to really bring out all the lovely Greek flavours.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Add all recipe ingredients to a bowl.
Step 2: Mix until combined, being careful not to overwork.
Step 4: Divide the mixture into 8 balls and press into muffin pan.
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients. Smear a spoonful of the sauce onto each muffin and bake for 25 minutes, or until the meatloaf muffins reach an internal temperature of 160 F.
Expert Tips
We start with good meat. I use a grass fed extra lean ground beef but you can easily substitute lamb, turkey, pork or chicken. I then add just a touch of gluten free oats as my binder, and lots of Greek flavour including oregano, spinach, tomatoes, lemon, mint, parsley and feta cheese. OMG. That feta really does these babies wonders.
On top, I skip the sugary ketchup topping and make my own with tomato sauce, lemon zest and good quality honey. I then finish the whole thing off with a little extra feta cheese and weeeee- get in my mouth. I usually recommend two Greek gluten free meatloaf muffins per person, but let’s be honest – it’s really hard to not keep popping them back.
Recips FAQs
This recipe freezes incredibly well so I suggest making a double batch and keeping them ready to go for crazy week nights. I line my baking tray with plastic wrap, sit all of the meatloaf muffins on top (sauce side up) and freeze them there until solid. Then I wrap each of them in tin foil, pop them into freezer bags, and put them in my chest freezer. Then when it’s time to eat, I just pop them (still wrapped up in foil) into the oven at 350 F until they’re warmed through.
I love to pair these healthy meatloaf muffins with a lovely side salad like my roasted broccoli salad or my pesto pasta salad.
Definitely. Just make sure you use gluten free oats.
Yes very much so. They are the perfect size and have a mild flavour.
I have never personally tried to make this recipe vegan but I do have a Vegan Lentil Meatloaf recipe which you can try here, and you can add in the Greek flavourings.
More Recipes You Might Like
Looking for more fun muffin recipes like my healthy meatloaf muffin recipe? Here are some more of my favourite savoury muffin recipes!
- MEXICAN MEATLOAF MUFFINS
- SPINACH CHICKEN PROTEIN MUFFINS
- LENTIL MEATLOAF MUFFINS
- MEXICAN CAULIFLOWER MINI MUFFINS
Have you mad this healthy meatloaf muffin recipe before? Would you try this Greek flavoured version? What flavours would you like to see turned into a savoury muffin recipe? Leave me a comment below with your favourite combinations!
Healthy Meatloaf Muffin Recipe (Gluten Free!)
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 lb grass-fed extra lean ground beef
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 2 Tbsp onion finely minced
- 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp oregano
- 1/4 cup gluten free oats
- 1/4 cup frozen spinach finely minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp mint finely minced
- 2 Tbsp parsley finely minced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup feta cheese finely crumbled
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Glaze:
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Garnish:
- Parsley chopped
- Mint chopped
- Lemon zest
- Feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F. Grease 8 muffin tin holes.
- In a bowl, mix together all of the meatloaf ingredients until combined, being careful not to overwork.
- Divide the mixture into 8 balls and press into the prepared muffin tin holes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients. Smear a spoonful of the sauce onto each muffin and bake for 25 minutes, or until the meatloaf muffins reach an internal temperature of 160 F.
- Garnish with extra parsley, mint, lemon zest and feta cheese, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Jas says
Hi Abbey, I’ve made these meat loaf muffins twice and are now now go to..but I have problem coming up with a good healthy side dish..any ideas? Thank you!
Abbey Sharp says
I love making them with a grain salad!
Jas says
Do you have one on your blog you could recommend? Thank you!
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
I absolutely love freezer friendly meals! They make life so much easier.
Abbey Sharp says
So much easier! Thanks Carmy 🙂
Rachel says
Meatloaf used to be one of my favorites! Great idea to freeze them.
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks Rachel! One of my favs too 🙂
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
i like the idea of making them ahead and love all the flavors. im not a huge fan of traditional meatloaf anyways!
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks Dixya! This ones definitely not your average meatloaf!
Sara says
Love all of these ideas 🙂
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run says
I love making meatloaf muffins with ground turkey, and also use oats as my binder. I have never tried making them with greek flavorings though! these sound good, and I love that you can freeze them for later!
Abbey Sharp says
absolutely, its a huge time saver!
Hilary says
I love that these had a greek twist to them! They would be awesome to add to my weekly meal prep!
Abbey Sharp says
enjoy!! yes!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I love making meatballs in a muffin tin! So easy!
Abbey Sharp says
they really are so easy
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
My husband and son would love these. I’ve never thought about freezing meatballs or meatloaf but why not? great time saving idea!
Abbey Sharp says
exactly! they freeze super well!