Meatloaf Muffins: Sneak in Vegetables for Picky Eaters

Recipe Classifications

Cuisine:

American

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Meal:

Lunch

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Diet:

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Kid-Friendly, Anti-Inflammatory Diet

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Rainbow:

Brown / White, Green

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Freezes well:

Yes

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Prep Time  (total time):

Under 15 Minutes  (Under 30 Minutes)

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If you’re looking for a creative and hearty way to use turkey, these Meatloaf Muffins are your answer.


They’re also an easy lunch or dinner idea that kids will surely love. Especially if they’re picky eaters! With this recipe, it’s your chance to sneak in vegetables as well since the muffin is already cooked and baked. You can make these with ground beef, too – just substitute the turkey for beef and add some chopped onion!


You’re probably used to seeing a whole slab of meatloaf, but putting them in muffin pans is fun too! Baking it in the oven using lean turkey meat is a healthier alternative to the usual meatloaf because turkey is leaner and has less saturated fat than beef or pork. You can also pack these for snacks since they’re individually portioned.

Are meatloaf muffins healthy?

There are so many great veggies in this dish, including carrots, celery, and kale. Carrots benefit eye health, and they also boost immunity and keep our minds sharp. Celery supports digestion and reduces inflammation. The cruciferous vegetable kale contains powerful antioxidants and is a great source of vitamins A, B6, C, and K. Yellow onions have antibacterial properties and provide amazing layers of flavor within the meatloaves. Now, you’ll really want to mix these veggies into your meatloaf! Finally, the turkey is not only a great source of protein; it’s also filled with B vitamins and packed with minerals

Feel free to add any vegetables on hand. We suggest adding bell peppers for more color, sweetness, and crunchy texture. You can also substitute turkey with lean ground chicken. Watch your use of coconut aminos! Although it’s soy, wheat, and gluten-free substitute for soy sauce, it may not be appropriate for all dietary restrictions. 

If you don’t have an aversion to yeast but want a dairy-free alternative to cheese, we highly suggest sprinkling nutritional yeast on top of the muffins before baking. This is also another way to get your B vitamins that you’d usually get from meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. 

Unlike traditional meatloaf, we love that they are individually portioned, so serving them is super simple.

Meatloaf Muffins

What do you serve with meatloaf muffins?

Serve these muffin-sized meatloaves with a side of steamed veggies, and dinner is served! They’re delicious on their own (maybe with a little ketchup), but we’d suggest some roasted asparagus, cauliflower, and carrots.

And for when you are done, we think a healthy pudding makes for a great dessert with meatloaf. But, that is a recipe for a different day. 

Are meatloaf muffins good for meal planning?

Meatloaf Muffins also make a great freezer meal! Just prepare the meat into muffin tins, then wrap in foil and freeze. To cook them frozen or not? Simply unwrap each one and place it on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper – use an oven timer to see when they’re finished cooking.

What kitchen gear do you need to make meatloaf muffins?

The kitchen gear you’ll need to make the meatloaf muffins is a muffin tin, cooking spray, a large bowl or food processor, a grater, and an oven. Just follow the recipe below, and we will walk you through it.

We hope you enjoyed this recipe for meatloaf muffins. These are an easy weeknight dinner that’s perfect for making ahead and freezing or a healthy dish your family will love!

Eat well and stay healthy!

Note:

The Meatloaf Muffins recipe is great for people with liver conditions and who want to improve their health. Check our 21-day meal plan to see breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes. 

Meatloaf Muffins

Meatloaf Muffins are an easy nutritious breakfast idea that kids will surely love. This recipe will enable you to eat vegetables in a crafty way and give you a fun option to use turkey. You can also make a huge batch for freezing and meal prep.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword gluten free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 133kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Muffin Pan

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground turkey
  • 1 pc yellow onion
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 2 cups celery (diced finely)
  • 4 cups kale (finely chopped)
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • nutritional yeast (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat ovent to 350F.
  • Line muffin pan with parchment paper or olive oil.
  • In a large bowl, combine turkey, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, kale, thyme, salt, coconut aminos and olive oil. Distribute the mixture evenly across the 12 muffin holes and bake for 20 minutes.

Notes

  1. For a cheesy flavor, top the muffins with nutritional yeast before baking. 
  2. Coconut aminos is a healthier substitute for soy sauce. 

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 453mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5906IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

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Mike

Mike

Hi! I’m Mike. I’m happily married and have a young daughter. I’ve lived all over the world and have learned a lot from seeing others’ perspectives. I’ve also had many life altering health challenges. Fortunately, my lovely and brilliant wife helped save me by finding a new and better way for us to live. We started The Healthy Treehouse to share what we’ve learned and to learn from others, too.