I’ll never forget the first time I pulled these Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf Bites out of the oven. My entire kitchen was wrapped in this incredible, savory, mouth-watering aroma of roasting meat and melted cheese that made everyone wander in asking, “What is THAT?” I was aiming for something fun and shareable for game day—a twist on classic meatloaf that felt special—and these little cheesy-stuffed wonders absolutely delivered. They turned out so juicy, so flavorful, and so irresistibly cheesy, that they’ve since become my go-to for any gathering where I want to hear a chorus of happy, surprised “mmmms” from my friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’re going to love this recipe because it takes the comforting, familiar joy of meatloaf and transforms it into a perfect, poppable, cheesy party bite. It’s surprisingly simple to put together, but the “wow” factor when someone bites into that molten cheese center is huge. They’re hearty enough to satisfy a craving, elegant enough for a platter, and forgiving enough that even if you’re not a meatloaf pro, you’ll end up with something delicious. Trust me, once you see how quickly these disappear from a serving plate, you’ll understand why they’re a permanent fixture in my recipe box.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend for best moisture)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 small yellow onion, finely grated or minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces (about 24 cubes) mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (low-moisture, block mozzarella, not fresh)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Finding the right cheese is crucial here. I’ve tried this with pre-shredded cheese and the bites just didn’t hold together as well—the anti-caking agents can prevent a smooth melt. Taking five minutes to cut a block of low-moisture mozzarella into cubes makes a huge difference. For the beef, I really recommend the 80/20 blend. I tested with a super-lean 90/10 once, and the bites were noticeably drier. That bit of fat is your friend for juicy, flavorful results.(See the next page below to continue…)