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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!
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 an 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!
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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 overcook: Overcooking can make the meatloaf dry out and taste like you are chewing on cardboard.
Don’t overfill: Too much breadcrumb 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 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ cup prepared BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- 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.
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Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Liked this recipe a lot. Dumb question: is the chili sauce the same as saracha chili sauce? I used that and it was good, but way spicier than I anticipated. Thanks.
No, it’s not the same. I buy Heinz Chili Sauce, it’s like a kicked up ketchup. Not really spicy. I added a link to Amazon in the recipe card so you can see what it looks like. Stores also carry their brand version of this.
Definitely a keeper! Followed the recipe but made 4 mini loaves instead & threw on some French’s French fried onion bits on top of two of the loaves, husband & son both gave thumbs up!
Thank you, Jen! The mini loaves and fried onions are a delicious touch!
Made these mini meatloaves tonight! My husband and I really loved them. Easy and so delicious! Can’t wait till I make them again! It will be sooner than later.
Thank you, Linda! That made my morning! I am so happy to hear you love them and will be making them again and again.
I have thrown away all of my old meatloaf recipes!! This is hands down my absolute favorite! The flavors are delicious. Thank you for posting!
Thank you so much, Hope! That is the best compliment I could ever receive. I am so happy to hear you enjoy it so much!
Love this recipe! My son made it last night for dinner and everyone loved it!
Thank you, Robyn! It’s a family favorite here too!
This recipe looks amazing. I do have a question for you. If I double the ingredients. Can this be made in a loaf pan instead? TIA for sharing this recipe with us.
I haven’t tested it in a loaf pan, but no reason you can’t give it a try it should work. I also love to shape into a loaf and bake on a lined baking sheet.
Very delicious meal. I cooked mine in the air fryer for 11 mins @400 and then for 1 min after brushing on the bbq sauce. Will definitely be making it again.
Thank you Audrea! I love using the air fryer too! Especially in this summer heat.
I make this delish dish every week. LOVE IT! Easy recipe
Thank you, Brandi! I love to hear this is on your table often!
I want to make this for my Sunday dinner. The recipe sounds wonderful, but I have a question…Could you add real onions and bell pepper to this recipe as well???
Vicky, I haven’t made it that way but I am sure you can. Since they cook rather quickly, I would either dice them really fine (I often grate my onion because my family doesn’t like the bite of it in meatloaf) or cook them a little ahead depending on the consistency your family enjoys.
This is my favorite recipe! I am going to try it on my smoker tonight. How long are the meatloaf’s good in the fridge for if I wanted to meal prep?
Thank you so much, Meg! A lot depends on the freshness and date of the ingredients. But I usually prep one day ahead in the fridge and then bake the next day. You could do up to 2 days. You can also prep ahead and freeze for four months (as long as the ground beef hasn’t been frozen before, then thaw and cook as directed.
Just a question before I make this tonight.
Instead of the chili sauce, could I use salsa?
Thank you!
I have not tried it with salsa but it should work. You could also use ketchup. I just love the flavor of the chili sauce. The salsa will add in some other vegies and have a different flavor. But let me know if you try it.
Just made them with salsa. They were so good!! I’ll have to try them with the chili sauce now!
Thank you for the great, family approved recipe.
Awesome! I love that you used what you had on hand and enjoyed it! Thanks so much for making our recipe!
So flippin’ good! Thank you for this recipe, Nikki!
p.s. MMMmmm!
Thank you so much, Julie! Your enthusiasm makes my day.
My boyfriend and I are OBSESSED with this recipe! We LOVE making it when we’re in the mood for meatloaf! 11/10 would recommend!!
Thank you, Brianna! This makes my heart glad! Thank you for sharing!
Mine are burning on the bottom, tried it with parchment paper too, same. Any tips?
Kim, it’s hard to say completely what might be causing this. My guess is maybe your oven is cooking a little hotter, try turning the temperature down 25 degrees. You may want to grab a oven thermometer to test. You could also try flipping them half way to see if that help.s
I made these tonight for the first time. I found your recipe on Mandy in the Making’s YouTube channel. These were delicious! I love that the recipe can be easily halved. Perfect comfort food.
I am so glad you enjoyed them Sally! Thanks for stopping by I hope you try some other things too!
Is that sweet chili sauce?
No not sweet chili sauce. Just chili sauce. You can find it near the ketchup in most grocery stores.
I saw your recipe on Mandy in the Making. We loved them!! I cut the recipe in half because there are only two of us. I definitely won’t make that mistake again❣️❣️
I am so glad to hear you loved them! They are a family favorite at our house too! And no halving this one again -lol! <3
I was craving something savory so I ended up making these mini meatfloaf bites. Yum! I’m so glad that I did. Lovely flavor.
Love how simple and flavorful the recipe is. Thanks for sharing.
These are the perfect appetizer recipe! So easy and delicious!
I love these mini meatloaves! They are perfect to take to our family party this weekend!