Delicious and Healthy Meatloaf Muffins

Published: Jun 7, 2023 by Drizzle · 37 Comments

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Meatloaf muffins are a perfect meal for a weekday dinner or a make-ahead meal to pack in lunches through out the week. They're easy to make and don't require confusing ingredients. You can use ground beef — I used ground turkey to lighten up the typical recipe.

This recipe is ideal for anybody that's looking for a healthy meal or snack that's high in protein and low in carbs. I've made this while on Weight Watchers, but this recipe is great for people that follow other diets like Whole30, and even Keto, though you'll need to make some minor adjustments, which I've laid out below.

For me, Im really trying hard to embrace this freestyle lifestyle, it is hard when you don't eat many of the zero WW point foods, but I'm trying to create recipes that will help me. These turkey meatloaf muffins are so easy to whip up and one muffin is zero smart points and up to 4 is only 1 SP. These are great for me to have on a day I know I want to make one of my meals higher in points. They freeze well and are great to take to work for lunch.

Why You Should Try These Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Turkey has a much lower cholesterol count than other protein types. It's flavor lends well to the bell peppers, onions and carrots as well. This makes it a health conscious recipe that is also filling and tasty for the whole family.
The shape and size of this meatloaf recipe makes the makes it a great options for kids as well as adults. It's a healthy way to introduce protein and veggies into their diet as well as yours.
This muffin tin meatloaf recipe is also low-carb, making it a great choice to fit into a diet focused on limiting carb intake.

Meatloaf Muffins Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 10
WW Points: 0SP blue & purple, 1SP green/2PP

Ingredients

1 lb fat free ground turkey (weighed raw)
½ cup diced peppers
½ cup diced red onion
2 garlic cloves (diced)
⅓ cup grated carrots
1 heaping cup diced zucchini
½ cup panko crumbs (I use PC, a Canadian brand, ½ cup= 3SP)
1 egg
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon thyme
Dash of salt & pepper

How to Cook These Delicious Meatloaf Muffins (Step-by-Step)

Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 12 hole regular muffin tin with some cooking spray
In a large bowl mix your turkey with all other ingredients, veggies, egg, panko, seasonings and mix well.
Place into 10 of your muffin cups and slightly push down on them.
Bake in oven for approx 40 minutes and serve.
Meatloaf muffins will store in the fridge for a few days and do freeze well.

Variations and Substitutions

If you are looking for a gluten-free option of these muffins, simply replace the panko breadcrumbs with a gluten-free version. Also, some Worcestershire sauce contains gluten so keep an eye out for that.
Adding corn and mushrooms are another great way to get more flavor and ingredients into these muffins. Frozen corn that is thawed out or corn fresh off of the ear works. And roasted mushrooms will be the way to go when adding them into the mixture. Do note that corn increases carbohydrates within the recipe.
Add celery in the same amount as the carrot to really put forward the turkey's poultry flavor. This creates a mirepoix in the muffin which overall generates more flavor in the cooking process.
If turkey is not your favorite protein type, then lean ground beef will do. The nutrition information will change for the recipe, as beef will generally have a higher cholesterol count.
Adding cheese would also add more flavor to your muffins. Shredded Monterey jack or gouda is what I would pair with turkey.
To make these Keto friendly, I would substitute the breadcrumbs almond flour or flaxseed meal and skip the ketchup unless it's sugar free.

Tips and Tricks For Making Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

If your turkey is in the freezer, pull it out a day ahead and let it thaw in the refrigerator until completely thawed. This will make it easier to work with and cook with.
Some great condiments for these muffins include ketchup, turkey gravy or a mushroom sauce. Serve them over mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Make your bread crumbs fresh from old bread in order to avoid waste in your kitchen and use up what you have. Simply bake the bread off, let it cool and pulse it in a food processor. This will then help be a binder in your meatloaf recipe.