This meatloaf for one can be made with ground beef, turkey, or a combination. Bake in just 20 minutes, with sides, for an easy weeknight dinner. This meatloaf for one is so tender and juicy, it's a great comforting meal.
[This recipe was originally posted in March 2023. It has been updated with cooking instructions, storage tips and substitutions, FAQ, related recipes and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
Meatloaf is a classic American dish, it's pretty easy to assemble, but often takes about an hour to bake. Plus many meatloaf recipes serve 6+ people.
This easy meatloaf for one is perfect if you're cooking for one. It's faster and turns out very juicy.
Like most recipes here, make this recipe easier by using the ingredients you already have on hand or like better. Ground beef or ground turkey work in this recipe, and you can swap some onion for bell pepper, if you have it.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Olive Oil: Helps soften the onions, adds olive-y flavor, and juiciness, especially if you're using lower fat meat.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and juiciness to your meatloaf for one.
- Dried Thyme: You can also use fresh thyme, about double the amount of dried thyme. Ina Garten adds it to her meatloaf, so I added it to mine.
- Garlic powder: you could add garlic powder or minced garlic.
- Salt: enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Worcestershire Sauce: It adds a nice umami, sweet, tangy flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Also acts to bind the ingredients together. If your meat mixture is too wet, add extra breadcrumbs. It's great with plain, Italian seasoned, or with panko breadcrumbs.
- Egg: It will bind all the ingredients together and add moisture to your individual meatloaf.
- Ground Beef or Turkey: Both work in this recipe. Use what you have or like better. With enough egg and onions, the turkey meatloaf is very juicy and tender. ¼ pound of ground beef or turkey makes for a good size for one.
- Ketchup: Spread it on top for extra tomato and sweet flavors.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Add onion, olive oil, and spices to a small, microwave safe bowl. Place lid on bowl and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until onions are softened and translucent. Set aside.
This method is quicker, and less messy than the stove.
2. Crack an egg into mixing bowl. Whisk together with fork or whisk until evenly scrambled. Add worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, and then onion mixture to mixing bowl. Mix together.
3. Add in ground meat and carefully incorporate it into egg/onion mixture. Don't mash it. Texture should be very juicy, but not soggy or with liquid in the bottom. Add additional breadcrumbs if necessary.
4. Form into a loaf. Place on baking sheet with baking mat or parchment. Top with ½ ketchup.
You can add cubed potatoes and vegetables to the baking sheet too, if you'd like. Season them with more olive oil, thyme, garlic powder, and salt. Or other.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. Or until center is 165 degrees F. Top with remaining ketchup after it's done cooking.
Enjoy your meatloaf for one and sides immediately.
Storage/Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in airtight container for about a week in the fridge. You can also freeze individual loafs for later. This is an easy recipe to make extra servings of for leftovers.
Reheat meatloaf for one in microwave, from refrigerated or frozen.
Substitutions/Tips
- If using ground beef less lean than 93/7 fat content, skip adding the olive oil to onions. The fat will seep out when baking your meatloaf for one on a baking sheet.
- You can replace ½ the onion with diced bell pepper.
- If you have fresh thyme, add about ½ teaspoon of it instead of dried.
- Use remaining seasonings for sides too, or use oil + Italian seasoning + salt or other favorites.
- Mashed potatoes are a great side dish for your meatloaf for one. Make if you'd like.
- Other great add-ins: If mixture is too dry, add a dash of milk. Top your meatloaf for one with shredded cheddar cheese, a sprinkle of fresh or dried thyme or parsley.
FAQ
It will take about 20 minutes to bake a meat loaf with about ¼ pound ground meat and other ingredients, and that's a loaf shape on a baking sheet, not in a muffin tin or loaf pan.
You don't have to cook them, but they'll be softer, sweeter, and make your meatloaf more juicy if they're cooked before adding. Microwaving the onions is faster and less messy than cooking on the stove.
You can form meatloaf into individual meatloafs (1 serving each) and bake on a baking sheet, or break into pieces to fit in a muffin tin. Cooking times will vary.
Repurpose meatloaf
Enjoy leftovers from your meatloaf for one on bread with cheddar cheese as a meatloaf sandwich.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Onion: Chicken Soup for One, Chicken Bacon Sheetpan Dinner, Refried Bean Tacos.
- Ground Beef/Turkey: Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl, Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Chili Without Tomatoes, and Stuffed Acorn Squash.
- Breadcrumbs: One Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta, use instead of panko in this Panko Chicken
- Egg: Apple Omelet with Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Microwave Scrambled Eggs, and Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Did you make this meatloaf for one? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Meatloaf for One
Equipment
- small microwave bowl with lid
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- cutting board
- knife
- medium mixing bowl
- baking sheet
- Baking Mat or Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 whole egg
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons breadcrumbs plain, Italian, or panko
- ¼ pound ground beef or turkey don't add olive oil if using ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add ⅓ cup diced onion, 1 teaspoon olive oil (don't add olive oil if using ground beef with more fat than 93/7), ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder to small microwave safe bowl, place lid on top. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, until onions are softened. Stir together. Set aside.
- Add egg to medium mixing bowl. Whisk with fork or whisk. Then add onion mixture, 1 teaspoon worcestershire, 2 Tablespoons of breadcrumbs of choice. Mix together, then add ¼ pound ground beef/turkey. Carefully fold meat into mixture until just incorporated.
- Transfer to baking sheet, form into a loaf with hands. Place on baking sheet. Spread 1 Tablespoon ketchup on top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- You can cook potatoes, sweet potatoes, and vegetables with your meatloaf. I like to just season mine with olive oil, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Spread remaining 1 Tablespoon of ketchup over meatloaf after baking. Serve with a side of ketchup if desired.
- Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days. Or until it smells off. Reheat, covered in the microwave.
Notes
- I've tested this recipe with both ground beef and turkey, it's great with both. There's a bit more egg and onions in this recipe than many others, but they both help keep this meatloaf extra juicy. Use either or a mix, depending on your preferences and what you have on hand.
- If using ground beef, that's got more fat in it than 93/7, don't add olive oil. The fat will just render out and it won't add any flavor or anything.
- You can also replace ½ the onion with equal amount of diced bell pepper.
- Make a couple servings for leftovers. Individual meatloafs cook more quickly than a full loaf pan meatloaf.
- Easily soften your onions by cooking in the microwave. You can also cook them over the stove, for about 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
Want time saving tips to make recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.
Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started.
Tanya says
Could this be done in the air fryer? If so, would the temp and time be the same?
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
Yes, it should work! I haven't tested it, so I can tell you exactly what works. But Delish says decrease the temperature by 25 degrees, and cut cooking time in half. Check doneness then, and cook longer if needed. Let me know how it goes!
Karen T says
How about revealing the o en temperature?!?!?
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
oops, good catch! It's 350. The recipe has been updated. thanks
Hayley Dhanecha says
Love the idea of making individual meatloaf, flavourful and delicious!
Rebecca says
totally! it's very flavorful
Kushigalu says
Such a flavorful and delicious meatloaf. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
What a great idea and such a tasty meatloaf too. My family loved it.
veenaazmanov says
This is so easy and quick to make and the best and tastiest comforting food too. My family relishes such delicious and amazing dishes any day.
Anjali says
This is such a great idea for an easy dinner thats still super hearty and satisfying! Can’t wait to try it soon!