Ingredients
Meatloaf Mixture
- 2 pounds extra lean ground beef
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Barbecue Sauce
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Prepare a muffin tin by either spraying it with cooking spray or lining it with silicone muffin liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef, cooked quinoa, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reserve half of the barbecue sauce for later use.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the meatloaf mixture evenly among 16 to 18 muffin cups. Then, evenly spread the reserved barbecue sauce over the top of each meatloaf muffin. If your muffin tin has fewer than 24 cups and you have leftover mixture, consider cooking it separately as mini meatloaf or burgers.
- Bake: Bake the meatloaf muffins for 25 to 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) to ensure they are fully cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the meatloaf muffins to cool slightly before removing them from the pan. Optionally, garnish with a bit more barbecue sauce and a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Using extra lean ground beef reduces fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- Cook quinoa ahead of time to save on prep during cooking.
- Adjust barbecue sauce amount according to taste preferences.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F to guarantee meat safety.
- These muffins freeze well—cool completely before freezing for easy meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat