Turn dinner into a fun, flavorful experience with these Ranch Cupcake Meatloaves with Hidden Gems! Perfectly portioned and baked in a muffin tin, these mini meatloaf "cupcakes" combine savory ground beef and pork with ranch seasoning, breadcrumbs, and a splash of milk for irresistibly tender bites. The real surprise lies inside, with hidden gems of melty cheddar cheese and crispy bacon crumbles tucked into every cupcake. Topped with creamy mashed potato "frosting," a sweet-and-tangy ketchup glaze, and optional chive sprinkles, this recipe transforms classic comfort food into a whimsical, crowd-pleasing dish. Ready in under 40 minutes and ideal for weeknight dinners, family meals, or entertaining guests, these ranch meatloaf cupcakes are sure to win hearts with their bold flavors and creative presentation.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners or lightly grease the cups with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, ranch seasoning mix, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, and diced onion. Mix until combined but avoid overmixing.
Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon to create 'hidden gems' of flavor within each cupcake.
Divide the meat mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, pressing it down slightly to shape.
In a small bowl, mix the ketchup and brown sugar to create a glaze. Spoon a small amount over the top of each meatloaf cupcake.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and an internal thermometer reads 160°F (71°C).
While the cupcakes are baking, prepare your mashed potato topping if not already made. Pipe or dollop mashed potatoes onto each meatloaf cupcake once they are done baking.
Garnish with chopped chives (optional) and serve warm.
Calories |
2991 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 179.1 g | 230% | |
| Saturated Fat | 73.0 g | 365% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 982 mg | 327% | |
| Sodium | 4606 mg | 200% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 159.3 g | 58% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.0 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.1 g | ||
| Protein | 190.3 g | 381% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 741 mg | 57% | |
| Iron | 15.2 mg | 84% | |
| Potassium | 2517 mg | 54% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.