Easy to make, these Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes stay perfectly moist while cooking in half the time as a traditional meatloaf. Top with whipped mashed potatoes for a fun April Fool’s joke. If you are looking for the perfect mini turkey meatloaf to make for dinner these are delicious!
Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes
I can confidently say that this is the best turkey meatloaf recipe out there. It took me a while to perfect and I spent a good chunk of time playing around with the recipe. In the end, I discovered that lemon zest really brings out the true flavor of the ground turkey and helps keep these extra moist.
Meatloaf cupcakes are great because cooking meatloaf in a cupcake pan not only helps prevent overcooking, it reduces the bake time in half. On a night where traditional meatloaf just takes too much time, I can whip up these turkey meatloaf cupcakes instead.
But, if I’m beng honest, my favorite way to serve these meatloaf cupcakes is as an April Fool’s joke on the kids! I make them while they’re at school and top them with extra creamy mashed potatoes that just happen to look like vanilla frosting. When the kids come home, I hand them the “cupcake” and, well…I’ve never been disappointed in their reactions!
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Variations of this recipe
Change up the meat. I like the lean and mild flavor of turkey for these meatloaf cupcakes but you can absolutely use lean ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork or ground lamb instead. You may need to adjust the bake time so be sure to use an internal thermometer to ensure the meatloaf cupcakes are fully cooked.
Add more veggies. You can also add bell peppers, chopped zucchini, carrots, and other veggies that you like to have in your meatloaf.
Use BBQ Sauce. If you are not a fan of ketchup in your meatloaf then you can use BBQ sauce instead.
What to Serve with Meat Loaf
There are lots of sides that go well with meatloaf, you can serve your favorite veggie sides and a salad to complete the meal. If you are looking for some side dish ideas, here are a few of our favorites:
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Cheesy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Garlic Rice
- Parmesan Asparagus
- Parmesan Rice
- Baked Smashed Potatoes
How to Store
You can store your meatloaf cupcakes in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just pop in the microwave to reheat! I do suggest waiting to put the mashed potatoes topping on them until you are serving them.
Can I Freeze Mini Meatloafs?
Yes! You can also freeze mini meatloaves for up to 3 months. Allow them to cool completely and then put the on a baking sheet and in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen store in a freezer safe zip close bag.
To enjoy later, thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or oven!
Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes Ingredients
Turkey Meat Loaf Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- The zest of one lemon
Mashed Potatoes ingredients
- 4 cups cubed peeled potatoes (about 2 pounds)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
3 tablespoons chopped scallions
How to Make Turkey Meat Loaf Cupcakes
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic into the melted butter for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become translucent.
Place mixture in a large bowl to cool for 5 minutes.
Combine turkey, bread crumbs, egg, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and lemon zest with onion mixture.
Press meatloaf into a cupcake pan filling each cupcake spot with meatloaf mixture.
Spread remaining ketchup on top of each “cupcake”. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the meatloaf is cooking you can start making the mashed potatoes. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring them to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes or until tender.
Drain and return potato to pan.
Using a hand masher or a mixer smash the potatoes. Add milk and remaining ingredients and mix until desired consistency.
Place the turkey loaf into a cupcake liner.
Put the potatoes into a pastry bag or a freezer bag with a corner cup off with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf.
To see how use the how to make a cupcake swirl tutorial
Easy Dinner Recipes
Cupcake Supplies
Make delicious and fun cupcakes with these must-haves for perfect cupcakes every time!
Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes
Ingredients
Turkey Meat Loaf Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- The zest of one lemon
Mashed Potatoes ingredients
- 4 cups cubed peeled potatoes about 2 pounds
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons chopped scallions
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic into the melted butter for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become translucent.
- Place mixture in a large bowl to cool for 5 minutes.
- Combine turkey, bread crumbs, egg, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and lemon zest with onion mixture. Press meatloaf into a cupcake pan filling each cupcake spot with meatloaf mixture.
- Spread remaining ketchup on top of each “cupcake”. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is cooking you can start making the mashed potatoes. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring them to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes or until tender.
- Drain and return potato to pan.
- Using a hand masher or a mixer smash the potatoes. Add milk and remaining ingredients and mix until desired consistency.
- Place the turkey loaf into a cupcake liner.
- Put the potatoes into a pastry bag or a freezer bag with a corner cup off with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf.
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