Description
These BBQ Meatloaf Muffins with Sweet Potato Topping are a fun and flavorful twist on classic meatloaf. Ground beef mixed with Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce and herbs is baked in muffin tins for perfect individual portions. Topped with creamy, naturally sweet mashed sweet potatoes, these mini meatloaves offer a comforting, wholesome meal that’s perfect for meal prepping or family dinners.
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 2 tsp. cooking oil or ghee (avocado oil, coconut oil or olive oil)
- 1 small onion, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1/2 cup Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce (such as Tessemae’s or The New Primal)
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Topping:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil or ghee (may use butter if not following Whole30)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the meatloaf muffins.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat 2 teaspoons of your chosen oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Mix meatloaf ingredients: Place ground beef in a medium bowl. Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, barbecue sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly with hands or a spoon until well combined.
- Form meatloaf muffins: Evenly divide the meat mixture into the 12 wells of a muffin pan.
- Bake the meatloaf: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center.
- Prepare sweet potato topping: While the meatloaf is baking, steam the cubed sweet potatoes for 10-12 minutes until tender. Drain well.
- Mash sweet potatoes: Puree the sweet potatoes with coconut oil or ghee and salt using a food processor or mash thoroughly with a fork until smooth and creamy.
- Top the meatloaf muffins: Spoon or pipe the sweet potato mash onto each baked meatloaf muffin. For a decorative finish, use a piping bag with a trimmed corner or simply a spoon.
- Add extra barbecue sauce: Optionally, drizzle additional Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce over the topped meatloaf muffins for extra flavor.
Notes
- For a Whole30-compliant recipe, ensure your barbecue sauce contains no added sugars or non-compliant ingredients.
- You can substitute coconut oil with ghee, avocado oil, or butter as desired, depending on dietary preferences.
- Steaming sweet potatoes keeps them moist and tender; avoid boiling to preserve flavor and nutrients.
- Meatloaf muffins are perfect for meal prepping and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat meatloaf muffins in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving.
