Ingredients for Meatloaf

• 1/2 cup finely crushed Ritz crackers
• 4 tablespoons whole milk
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon fine salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 pounds ground beef, 80/20
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Ingredients for Glaze

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Preheat the Oven

First, preheat your oven to 500°F and place the oven rack in the middle position. Prepare a broiler pan with a slotted top and set it on the rack.

Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, milk, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, mustard, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.

Add the ground beef to the bowl and use your hands to knead it until evenly mixed. Form the mixture into four compact loaves, each roughly 4 by 3 inches in size.

Brown the Loaves

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Place the meatloaves in the skillet and cook them until both sides are well browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Make the Glaze

While the meatloaves are browning, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until smooth.

Bake the Meatloaves

Carefully transfer the browned loaves to the slotted top of the broiler pan. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the glaze over each loaf. Bake in the oven until the internal temperature of the loaves reaches 160°F, which should take around 7 to 9 minutes. Allow the loaves to rest for about 3 minutes before serving.

Make Ahead Option

To prepare ahead of time, you can form the meatloaves, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate them overnight. Before cooking, let the loaves sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, and then proceed with the browning step.

Print Pin

Mini Meat Loaves

Mini meatloafs with a savory blend of Worcestershire and Dijon, topped with a tangy-sweet ketchup glaze, delivering a comforting bite with mild heat from cayenne.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Resting Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 38 minutes mins

Ingredients

Ingredients for Meatloaf

• ▢ 1/2 cup finely crushed Ritz crackers
• ▢ 4 tablespoons whole milk
• ▢ 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ 3/4 teaspoon fine salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1.5 pounds ground beef 80/20
• ▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil

Ingredients for Glaze

• ▢ 1/2 cup ketchup
• ▢ 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 500°F and place a broiler pan on the middle rack.
• Combine Saltine crackers, milk, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, mustard, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
• Add ground beef and knead by hand. Shape into four loaves, 4 by 3 inches each.
• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown loaves on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
• Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and cider vinegar in a small bowl.
• Transfer browned loaves to the broiler pan. Spoon 1 tablespoon of glaze over each loaf.
• Bake until internal temperature reaches 160°F, about 7-9 minutes. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.