Pizza Meatloaf Cups are small, muffin-sized meatloaves made with ground meat, pizza sauce, cheese, and other pizza-style toppings. They look like muffins but taste like pizza and meatloaf mixed together. These cups are fun to eat and very easy to make at home. Kids love them because they are small and full of cheese.
Grown-ups love them too because they are quick, tasty, and can be stored for later. You can also pack them in lunchboxes. This recipe is good for busy days when you want to cook something fast and delicious. You only need a few ingredients, and everything can be made in one mixing bowl and a muffin tray. Let’s learn more about how to make these pizza meatloaf cups.
Pizza Meatloaf Cups Ingredients:
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1 pound ground beef or chicken (you can use turkey too)
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1 egg
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1/2 cup bread crumbs
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1/2 cup pizza sauce (plus a little extra for topping)
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1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
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1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
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Cooking oil spray (for greasing the muffin tray)
How to Make Pizza Meatloaf Cups
1. Preheat and Prepare
First, turn on your oven and set it to 375°F (190°C). Let it heat while you make the mixture. Take a 12-cup muffin tray and lightly spray each cup with oil to prevent the meat from sticking later. You can also use paper muffin liners if you want easy cleanup.
2. Make the Meatloaf Mix
Take a big mixing bowl. Add ground meat, egg, bread crumbs, pizza sauce, shredded cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and chili flakes (if you like a little spice). Now, use your clean hands or a big spoon to mix everything well. Mix until it looks even, but don’t mix too much or the meat will become tough after cooking.
3. Fill the Muffin Tray
Take a spoon or your hands and fill each muffin cup with the meat mix. Push it down lightly to fit the shape of the muffin tray. Leave a little space at the top. After filling all the cups, take a small spoon and add a little pizza sauce on top of each meatloaf cup. Then sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on each one. This makes them taste more like pizza and look nice when cooked.
4. Bake in the Oven
Put the muffin tray in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The meat should cook fully, and the cheese should melt and turn golden on top. If you are not sure, take a small knife or toothpick and poke one cup in the center. If the meat juice comes out clear, it is ready. If it looks pink or raw, cook for a few more minutes.
5. Cool and Serve
Once they are cooked, take the tray out of the oven. Let the cups cool for about 5 minutes before taking them out. Use a spoon or knife to lift them gently from the muffin tray. Serve them hot. You can add more pizza sauce on the side or even sprinkle some fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
Suggestions to Make Them Better
You can try other ingredients to make the pizza meatloaf cups even more tasty. You can add small pieces of onion, capsicum (bell pepper), olives, or mushrooms in the meat mix. If you like spicy food, add more chili flakes or a few drops of hot sauce. For people who don’t eat beef, chicken or turkey works fine too. You can also try using different types of cheese like cheddar or parmesan on top. Some people even put a small piece of cheese cube in the center of each meatloaf cup for a cheesy surprise when they take a bite.
How to Store and Reheat
If you have extra meatloaf cups, you can store them in a box with a lid and keep them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. To eat later, just take one or two out and heat them in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds. You can also freeze them for longer use. To freeze, wrap them one by one in foil or plastic and put them in a zip-lock bag. When you want to eat, let them defrost for some time, then warm them in the oven or microwave. They still taste good even after freezing.
Perfect for Kids and Family Meals
Pizza Meatloaf Cups are a big hit with kids. They love anything that looks small, round, and cheesy. Because these cups are easy to hold and eat, even small children can enjoy them. You can give them with ketchup or sauce. They are also good for lunch boxes, picnics, or parties. Adults also love them because they are full of flavor, low mess, and filling. You can serve them with salad, bread, or pasta to make a full meal. It’s a good way to get protein and flavor in one simple recipe.