Description
These Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf Bites are a savory, bite-sized twist on classic meatloaf. Packed with ground beef, Parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheese centers, they’re perfect as an appetizer or family-friendly snack. Easy to prepare and baked to juicy perfection, these flavorful bites are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Filling
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatloaf bites.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well mixed.
- Form Meat Balls: Take a small amount of the meat mixture and flatten it in your hand to create a base for stuffing.
- Add Cheese Filling: Place a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of the flattened meat.
- Shape Meatloaf Bites: Fold the meat around the cheese, forming a tight ball to enclose the filling completely.
- Repeat: Continue shaping the remaining meat mixture and cheese into bites, ensuring each is sealed well.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatloaf bites evenly spaced on it.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the cheese inside is melted.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the meatloaf bites to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot cheese.
Notes
- Ground beef with 80/20 ratio is ideal for juicy bites.
- Make sure to seal the cheese completely inside the meat to prevent leakage during baking.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meat mixture but can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
- These bites can be served with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
