If you love classic meatloaf but don’t always have time to bake a full loaf, these Quick Ground Turkey Meatloaf Muffins are the perfect solution. They deliver all the comforting flavors of traditional meatloaf but cook faster thanks to their convenient muffin size.
These mini meatloaves are tender, flavorful, and topped with marinara and melted mozzarella for a delicious twist. They’re great for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep since they reheat beautifully and are easy to portion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready faster than traditional meatloaf
Perfectly portioned for easy serving
Moist and flavorful with simple ingredients
Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly
Great for meal prep lunches or quick dinners
Cheesy marinara topping adds extra comfort
Ingredients You’ll Need
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean for best moisture)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Let’s Get Started
Preheat the oven and prepare the pan.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with silicone muffin liners to prevent sticking.Mix the meatloaf base.
In a large mixing bowl combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.Combine gently.
Use a fork or clean hands to mix the ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the meatloaf muffins dense instead of tender.Fill the muffin tin.
Divide the turkey mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing gently so each cup is filled but not compacted too tightly.Add marinara topping.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce over the top of each meatloaf muffin, spreading it lightly across the surface.Bake the meatloaf muffins.
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the turkey is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).Add the cheese.
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over each muffin.Melt the cheese and finish.
Return the pan to the oven for 3–5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the muffins rest for a few minutes before removing from the pan.
Servings and Pairing
This recipe makes 10–12 meatloaf muffins, depending on how full the muffin cups are.
They pair beautifully with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed green beans
- Simple side salad
- Buttered pasta or rice
They also make excellent meal prep lunches served with quinoa or roasted sweet potatoes.
Variations
Low-Carb Version
Swap breadcrumbs for almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
Extra Veggies
Mix in finely grated zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers for added moisture and nutrition.
Spicy Version
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a spoonful of spicy marinara.
BBQ Twist
Replace marinara with barbecue sauce and top with cheddar instead of mozzarella.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat:
Microwave for 30–60 seconds, or
Warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes
Freezing:
Let the muffins cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I make these meatloaf muffins ahead of time?
Yes. You can mix the meat mixture and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
How do I keep turkey meatloaf moist?
Using 93% lean turkey, breadcrumbs, and egg helps retain moisture while the onions add natural juiciness.
Can I use ground chicken instead?
Absolutely. Ground chicken works just as well and cooks in about the same time.
Do I need muffin liners?
Not necessarily. Greasing the pan well or using a nonstick muffin tin works perfectly.
Final Thoughts
These Quick Ground Turkey Meatloaf Muffins are a simple and satisfying twist on a classic comfort food. With savory turkey, flavorful seasonings, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella, they deliver big flavor in a small, convenient package.
They’re quick enough for weeknight dinners yet hearty enough to keep everyone satisfied — and they make fantastic leftovers too.
Print
Quick Ground Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
These mini turkey meatloaf muffins are moist, flavorful, and topped with marinara sauce and melty mozzarella cheese. Baking them in a muffin tin shortens cooking time and creates perfectly portioned servings ideal for weeknight meals or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- In a bowl combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently until ingredients are just combined.
- Divide the mixture evenly into muffin cups.
- Top each portion with about 1 tablespoon marinara sauce.
- Bake 18–20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Sprinkle mozzarella over each muffin.
- Return to the oven for 3–5 minutes until cheese melts.
- Let rest 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the muffins tender.
- Finely chopping the onion helps it blend evenly and cook fully.
- If using very lean turkey, add 1 tablespoon olive oil for extra moisture.
- Let the muffins rest briefly before removing so they hold their shape.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes