Introduction
These bouchées are a fun twist on traditional meatloaf. Bite-sized, juicy, and oozing with melted cheese at the center, they’re easy to prepare and even easier to love. Great for parties, lunchboxes, or weeknight meals, these little meatloaf bombs combine the comfort of home cooking with the surprise of gooey cheese inside. Serve with dipping sauces like marinara, BBQ, or mustard!
Ingredients (Makes about 20 bites)
For the Meat Mixture:
- 500 g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 60 g breadcrumbs (about ½ cup)
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano or thyme
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For the Filling:
- 100–150 g cheese, cut into small cubes (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, or raclette all work well)
For Topping (optional):
- Additional ketchup or BBQ sauce for brushing
- Grated parmesan or breadcrumbs for a crispy top
Instructions
🔪 Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them soak for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the ground meat, onion, garlic, egg, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Mix everything together gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined. Don’t overmix to avoid toughness.
🧀 Step 2: Fill the Bites
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly oil a mini muffin tin.
- Take a small portion of the meat mixture (about the size of a golf ball), flatten it slightly in your palm.
- Place a cube of cheese in the center, then wrap the meat around it, sealing the edges well to form a ball.
- Repeat until all the meat is used.
🔥 Step 3: Bake
- Place the stuffed meatballs on the baking sheet or into a mini muffin tin.
- (Optional) Brush the tops with a little ketchup or BBQ sauce for extra flavor and color.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the tops are golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving — the cheese inside will be very hot!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with toothpicks and dipping sauces like BBQ, spicy mayo, aioli, or marinara.
- Add a side salad or mashed potatoes for a full meal.
- These reheat well and are great for lunchboxes!
Tips & Variations
- Make ahead: Form the bites in advance and refrigerate (up to 24 hours) or freeze before baking.
- Cheese choice: Use firm, meltable cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or raclette. Avoid soft cheeses that leak too much.
- Add-ins: You can add chopped cooked bacon, grated carrots, or chopped spinach for extra flavor or nutrition.