Sometimes at our house, we find ourselves in a dinner rut. We have our regular rotation of meals that we all enjoy, but sometimes even your favorite meal can feel repetitive, you know? So what’s a busy mom to do? Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to reinvent the wheel to solve a dinner rut. Sometimes all it takes is presenting a familiar meal in a new, fun way!
That’s where today’s recipe comes in. There’s nothing particularly original about meatloaf and mashed potatoes, but who could resist these adorable Mini Meatloaf “Cupcakes”? I certainly couldn’t! 🙂 Thanks to this recipe, I’m now inspired to find ways to shake up more of our regular dinner recipes!
Related: 11 Easy Ways To Make Your Next Meatloaf Unbelievably Good
Mini Meatloaf “Cupcakes”
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 box Stove Top stuffing mix
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp. A1 sauce
- 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes, hot
- 6 Tbsp. cream cheese, cubed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- brown gravy (optional)
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and lightly grease your muffin pan.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground beef, stuffing mix, water, and A1 sauce together. Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Spoon the meat mixture into the cups of the muffin pan, packing them lightly. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes (or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees).
While the meatloaf cooks, prepare 3 cups of mashed potatoes and set aside in a medium bowl. I used instant potato flakes, but you could certainly make a batch of mashed potatoes from scratch if you feel so inclined!
While the potatoes are still hot, add the cream cheese, garlic, and parsley to the bowl. Stir to combine, and continue to stir the potatoes until the cream cheese has melted and incorporated completely.
Once the meatloaf is done, remove them from the muffin pan. Use an ice cream scoop to top each mini meatloaf with a scoop of the mashed potatoes.
Serve with brown gravy, on the side or drizzled over the top.
What is your favorite way to shake up your dinner routine?
MINI MEATLOAF “CUPCAKES” WITH MASHED POTATO “FROSTING”
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 box Stove Top stuffing mix
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp. A1 sauce
- 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes hot
- 6 Tbsp. cream cheese cubed
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- brown gravy optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and lightly grease your muffin pan.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground beef, stuffing mix, water, and A1 sauce together. Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Spoon the meat mixture into the cups of the muffin pan, packing them lightly. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes (or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees).
- While the meatloaf cooks, prepare 3 cups of mashed potatoes and set aside in a medium bowl.
- While the potatoes are still hot, add the cream cheese, garlic, and parsley to the bowl. Stir to combine, and continue to stir the potatoes until the cream cheese has melted and incorporated completely.
- Once the meatloaf is done, remove them from the muffin pan. Use an ice cream scoop to top each mini meatloaf with a scoop of the mashed potatoes.
- Serve with brown gravy, on the side or drizzled over the top.
