This is the perfect way to make your meatloaf a little more elegant and refined. Is that possible with meatloaf? The name kind of kills any chance at sophistication, doesn’t it? How about…… Hmmmm. Nope. Can’t think of another name for it.
But it sure is tasty. I make these turkey meatloaf cupcakes every year for April Fools Day. My kids think that its hilarious to have cupcakes for dinner, only to find out(to their delight, of course) that those cupcakes are made of a savory turkey meatloaf and the frosting is actually mashed potatoes.
These meatloaf cupcakes(or muffins, if you’re not too keen on mashed potatoes) start with a ground turkey meatloaf base, loaded up with carrots, onions, parsley. They are glazed with a sweet ketchup sauce and then baked. After they are done they can be topped with a piping of whipped mashed potatoes and a garnish of parsley.
Even though these make an excellent April Fools meal, I like to make them any time of the year. The potatoes served on top of the meatloaf just make it all that more of an easy to eat “all in one” meal. And the meatloaf is killer. Seriously, it’s one of my favorite meatloaf recipes of all time.
I just wish it wasn’t called meatloaf.
But, I guess ‘savory ground turkey mixed with other delicious ingredients that are all smooshed together and baked’ doesn’t really work either.
A few years ago I threw an April Fools dinner party where dinner was all dessert but nothing was as it seemed. For fun and deceptive food ideas, check the post out HERE.
- 1 C. Ketchup
- ½ C. Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 T. Olive oil
- 1 C. Onion, diced
- 1 t. Garlic, minced
- ¾ C. Carrot, grated
- Pepper, to taste
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2½ t. Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ C. Parsley, chopped
- 1 C. Bread Crumbs
- ⅓ C. Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1 Egg White
- 1 LB. Ground Turkey
- Whipped Mashed Potatoes(for topping, if desired)
- Parsley, for garnishing
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease 6 muffin tins.
- In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and 1 t. of the Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a small skillet and saute the onion, garlic, and carrot until the onion and carrot are soft. Stir in the pepper, salt, and remaining 1½ t. Worcestershire sauce and then transfer the mixture into a large bowl.
- Pour the breadcrumbs, milk, and parsley into the bowl.
- Add in the eggs, turkey, and 2 T. of the ketchup mixture. Mix everything together until well combined(I prefer to use my hands).
- Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Form each portion into a ball and pat down into a greased muffin tin, filling the tin with the mixture and leaving the top domed.
- Spoon a bit of the remaining ketchup mixture on top of each muffin and spread evenly. Reserve the remaining sauce to serve along side the meatloaf.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until turkey is fully cooked.
- Remove muffins from tins(I find its helpful to run a knife along the inside of each tin and use a spoon to help lift them out.
- If desired, pipe whipped mashed potatoes on top of each muffin and garnish with a bit of parsley.
- Serve along with the remaining sauce.
*If you use ground beef in place of the turkey, expect it to shrink quite a bit...the muffins will not be as tall and shapely as ones made with ground turkey would be.
Ha! Those are so great! And I loved the April Fools menu you came up with – epic! = ) It would be so much fun to unknowingly serve these to family and see how they react.
Thank you Crystal! I didn’t tell anyone the first time I served the cupcakes and everyone totally thought they were about to dig into a sweet cupcake! It was pretty fun!
How divine! And how lovely to behold! Can’t wait to try them!
Looks scrumptious! Amazing idea! Absolutely love the April Fool’s dinner. Your blog is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Avery Claire!
I actually made these tonight — they were a big hit! Best meatloaf I’ve ever had! My kids loved it too. Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m glad they were a hit! I love that kids always seem to like it, my 6 year old cooked-carrot hater always gobbles them up 😉
What a brilliant idea girrrl! These look adorable and the presentation is flawless. And they sound super delish as well – oh, I’m dying to try them! xx
Thank you Consuelo! They are pretty tasty 😉
I’m a 25 year old dude and just made this for my girlfriend like a boss. I’ll admit I had an existential moment as I stared at my reflection in the metal bowl I was shredding the carrots into, but I pushed through and it was totally worth the couple minutes of housewifing. I couldn’t go full Martha though, and for the sake of hanging onto my man card I just spooned the mashed potatoes on top of the muffincakes to keep them rugged.
Next time I’m gonna stack a layer of stuffing in between the potatoes and turkey and then garnish that poor man’s Thanksgiving with some homemade cranberry sauce.
Thanks for the recipe 🙂
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Gregg, this may be my favorite comment that I have ever received on this blog. Glad you could keep these “rustic”, haha! =) so glad you liked these!
Wow, Amazing looking food and what fabulous pictures. You should work for a food magazine.
Ah, thank you Wanda!
These are an awesome idea. My fiance just found out he can’t eat red meat anymore so trying to look up any kinda turkey recipe is always a mission. He actually came to me w w this one and happy about it too…lol. I’m I’m about I’m about to start them now. Thanx for the great idea.
I’m about to make these but with mini muffin tin. So 12 mini muffins instead of 6 regular. Should I adjust time at all?
Are your mashed potatoes hot or cold when piping them on?
Hot – wear gloves!