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BBQ Mini Meatloaves

Featured in: Hearty Meals and Dinner Favorites

Mini BBQ meatloaves give you all the goodness of classic meatloaf but in handy single servings that bake fast. A mix of ground beef, diced bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese is seasoned with Worcestershire, garlic, and onion powder. A hint of chili sauce adds a little heat. Before baking, they're topped with BBQ sauce that seals in flavor and caramelizes beautifully. It's an easy weeknight dinner that works great for meal prep or sandwiches the next day.
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By Chloe Chloe
Updated on Mon, 12 May 2025 15:08:21 GMT
Crispy bacon-topped meatloaf portions on a metal tray. Pin it
Crispy bacon-topped meatloaf portions on a metal tray. | cookitdelish.com

Tiny BBQ bacon cheese meatloaves bring together juicy ground beef with crunchy bacon, bold cheddar, and zesty barbecue sauce for a mouthwatering weeknight meal. These single-serving portions bake quicker than old-school meatloaf yet pack tons of taste in each mouthful. The sticky BBQ coating forms a tasty outer layer, trapping moisture inside and giving that perfect sweet-tangy kick against the hearty, cheese-filled center.

I stumbled onto mini meatloaves during a crazy busy time when I needed dinners that could fit around everyone's weird schedules. These personal-sized loaves quickly became a family favorite, with everyone loving how they could just take what they wanted when hungry. The mix of bacon, cheese, and BBQ sauce turned basic ground beef into something we couldn't get enough of, and now my family asks for them almost every week.

Key Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef: Forms the main base with just enough fat to keep things juicy and flavorful.
  • 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese: Makes everything gooey inside with a nice sharp kick.
  • 4 slices thick bacon: Brings smoky goodness and some nice crunch.
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs: Keeps everything soft without making your loaves heavy.
  • 2 large eggs: Holds all the stuff together while adding moisture.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds flavor punch without making things wet.
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt: Brings the right amount of saltiness with extra spices built in.
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic: Gives that garlicky taste without burning up.
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce: Adds that can't-put-your-finger-on-it rich taste.
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce: Makes that sweet, smoky topping that gets all sticky and brown.

Simple Cooking Method

Get Oven Hot:
Warm your oven to 425°F with the rack smack in the middle.
Fix Bacon:
Cook bacon till it's crunchy, cool it down, then break it into bits.
Mix Dry Stuff:
Stir together panko, onion powder, seasoned salt, and granulated garlic in a bowl.
Add Wet Stuff:
Pour in Worcestershire sauce and whisked eggs to your dry mix.
Mix Meat:
Toss in beef, cheddar, and bacon bits, folding lightly till just combined.
Shape Small Loaves:
Split the mix into 8 chunks, shaping each into a small oval.
Cover With Sauce:
Slather BBQ sauce all over each loaf.
Cook Through:
Bake about 25 minutes until they hit 160°F inside.
Make Shiny Tops:
Brush more BBQ sauce on top and broil 2-3 minutes till bubbly.
Let Sit:
Wait 5 minutes before digging in.
Two pieces of meat with cheese and herbs on a plate. Pin it
Two pieces of meat with cheese and herbs on a plate. | cookitdelish.com

Serving Ideas

They're awesome with buttery mashed potatoes and some roasted veggies for a comfort food combo.

Add some fresh coleslaw on the side to cut through the rich BBQ flavors.

Any leftovers make amazing mini sandwiches on toasted sweet buns the next day.

Flavor Variations

Add some chopped jalapeños and swap in pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.

Go Italian style with tomato sauce, melty mozzarella, and some basil and oregano.

Try a honey mustard glaze instead of BBQ sauce for something different.

Storage Guide

Keep them in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 4 days.

Wrap each one separately and freeze for up to 3 months.

Heat them back up in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes with a fresh coat of BBQ sauce.

Two pieces of meat on a plate. Pin it
Two pieces of meat on a plate. | cookitdelish.com

These tiny BBQ bacon cheddar meatloaves have turned into our go-to weeknight dinner. They cook up fast with their small size but still give you all the warm, homey flavors you want from meatloaf. We love them straight from the oven, packed in lunches the next day, or turned into mini sandwiches. They're always a hit and never leave anyone hungry.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's chili sauce and how do I get it?
Chili sauce is a ketchup-like condiment but with a spicier kick. Look for it in the same section as ketchup—brands like Heinz have it and it's perfect here.
→ Can I prep these mini meatloaves ahead?
Sure! Shape the loaves and refrigerate for up to a day. Just wait to slather on the BBQ sauce until right before popping them in the oven.
→ What sides go with BBQ mini meatloaves?
They're great with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, macaroni and cheese, or a crisp side salad.
→ Are these freezer-friendly?
Totally! Freeze them baked or raw. If raw, thaw them fully before cooking. If already cooked, warm them in an oven at 350°F until heated through.
→ Can I use a different type of meat?
Yep! Try ground turkey, chicken, or even a mix like beef and pork. You might need to tweak the cooking time slightly.

BBQ Mini Meatloaves

Quick-cooking mini meatloaves made with ground beef, tangy BBQ sauce, bacon, and cheese for family-friendly portions full of flavor.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By Chloe: Chloe

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 small loaf shapes)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Meatloaf Mix

01 2 lbs ground beef, lean
02 ½ cup panko crumbs
03 6 oz bottle of chili sauce
04 1 tsp seasoned salt
05 4 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled
06 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
07 ½ cup shredded cheddar or blend cheese
08 2 eggs, beaten lightly
09 1 tsp garlic powder (granulated)
10 1 tsp yellow mustard
11 1 tsp onion powder

→ Saucy Topping

12 ½ cup BBQ sauce, store-bought or homemade

Instructions

Step 01

Fire up your oven to 425°F so it'll be ready. A hot oven is key to getting a flavorful crust on your mini meatloaves.

Step 02

Fry up the bacon strips until they're super crispy. Once cooled, break them into bits. Try to keep some for the meatloaves and don't snack too much!

Step 03

In a big bowl, toss in the beef, chili sauce, crispy bacon bits, cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, and all your spices: onion powder, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and mustard. Pour in the Worcestershire sauce too. Use your hands and mix gently until it's all evenly combined.

Step 04

Take your meat mixture and divide it into 8 portions. Roll each one into small loaf shapes. Make a little dent in the top of each to help it bake evenly and hold the BBQ topping.

Step 05

Slather a good layer of BBQ sauce over each loaf. You can use a brush or a spoon—just make sure they're covered well.

Step 06

Place the loaves on a baking sheet and bake them for around 25 minutes. When they're cooked through, turn on the broiler for 2-5 minutes for that sticky, caramelized BBQ top. Watch them closely, so they don't burn.

Step 07

Once out of the oven, leave the loaves to sit for about 5 minutes. This step keeps them juicy and firm before you dig in!

Notes

  1. These tiny meatloaves bring bacon cheeseburger vibes mixed with rich BBQ sauce—perfect for any crowd.
  2. Faster to bake than regular meatloaf, these portions are freezer-friendly and make weeknight meals easy.
  3. Pick your favorite cheese or BBQ flavor to make a custom version of these tasty mini loaves.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large bowl for mixing
  • Sheet pan or roasting tray
  • BBQ sauce brush or spoon (optional)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten is present due to breadcrumbs.
  • Dairy is included from cheese.
  • Eggs are used in the mix.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 340
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 13 g
  • Protein: 32 g