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Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf Bites

Mini meatloaves filled with melty premium cheddar and a savory blend of pureed mushrooms and beef. These easy-to-make stuffed meatballs use crushed buttery crackers as a binder and bake to juicy, cheesy perfection—great as an appetizer, snack, or weeknight main.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12 servings

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Food processor or blender
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 pint bella mushrooms pureed until smooth
  • 1 sleeve buttery crackers crushed
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 large egg cracked
  • 6 ounces premium cheddar cubed (for stuffing)
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Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
  • Put the mushrooms in a food processor or blender and pulse until they form a very smooth puree.
  • Crush the buttery crackers into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or the food processor, then set the crumbs aside.
  • Cut the cheddar into small cubes and reserve for stuffing; you can use one to three cubes per bite depending on how cheesy you want them.
  • In a large bowl combine the ground beef, pureed mushrooms, crushed cracker crumbs, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and the cracked egg.
  • Mix everything together using clean hands until the ingredients are evenly incorporated, taking care not to overwork the meat.
  • Portion the mixture into 12 equal pieces. Press each portion into a shallow indentation, place the cheese cubes inside, then fold and shape the meat around the cheese to form sealed balls.
  • Place the stuffed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart so they cook evenly.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Let them rest briefly before serving.
  • Serve warm on their own, alongside mashed potatoes, or with your favorite sauce for dipping.