Better Homes And Gardens Butternut Squash Mac N Cheese

Meat Loaf Muffins

Credit: Blaine Moats

What is a muffin tin used for? So much more than just muffins and cupcakes! It's about time to discover the magic of muffin tin meals. Including tasty mac and cheese, better-than-fast-food burgers, and crunchy crab cakes, we're highlighting our favorite unique recipes using a muffin pan.

Tuscan Mac and Cheese Cups

Tuscan Mac-and-Cheese Cups

Credit: Karla Conrad

Yes, we know it's made in a muffin tin, but this is one of our fanciest-tasting mac and cheese recipes yet! It's a breeze to make, though, with a mix of Gorgonzola and Fontina cheeses, prosciutto, and kale. All of those flavor-boosters definitely take macaroni and cheese beyond the box. The easy, cheesy pasta recipe using a muffin pan is sure to wow any dinner guest.

Turkey Cheeseburger Minis

Credit: Jason Donnelly

What's more kid-friendly than a cheeseburger? A perfectly portioned pint-sized cheeseburger. Our muffin tin version of the backyard cookout staple is made with ketchup- and mustard-infused ground turkey plus layers of cheese and pickle slices.

Buy It: OXO Good Grips Pro Muffin Pan ($25, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Chicken-Feta Phyllo Cups with Tzatziki Sauce

Credit: Scott Little

No street cart in the neighborhood? Get a similar gyro fix with this muffin tin recipe dinner. Each bite tastes like a chicken gyro drizzled with creamy, cucumber-y tzatziki sauce. Briny olives and feta cheese amplify the Mediterraneaen recipe flavors in these flaky Greek-inspired muffins.

BBQ Sloppy Joe Cups

Credit: Andy Lyons

Sure, you may have brought sloppy joe mix and buns to the family dinner table before. But imagine the collective reaction when you set down a tray of corn muffin cups stuffed with a BBQ-spiked meat-and-bean filling. This easy muffin tin dinner recipe is classic comfort food with a little twist to spice things up.

Meat Loaf Muffins

Credit: Blaine Moats

Layers of melted cheese, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and meat loaf transform a ho-hum weeknight recipe into an adorable dinner display. The trick to these too-cute meat loaf muffs? Bake the beef-based easy muffin tin dinner recipe separately in a muffin tin, then add the additional layers of sauce, spuds, and cheese on top.

Pepperoni Pizza Cups

Credit: Andy Lyons

Give pizza night a makeover. These muffin tin mini pies are not only absolutely adorable but also super simple to make. Just press pizza dough into each cup and fill with a mix of pasta sauce, pepperoni (cooked sausage would also work wonderfully!), and cheese.

Nutty Honey Mini Rolls

Credit: Andy Lyons

We don't know about you, but we cannot be trusted around those softball-size bakery cinnamon rolls and sticky buns. (Well, actually we can be trusted to devour them in one sitting.) These itty-bitty muffin tin nut rolls cure a similar craving and make it much easier to pause at a reasonable serving size. Bonus: Store-bought packaged crescent rolls make pulling off the breakfast treats a snap.

Mini Turkey Meat Loaves with Fiery Tunisian Sauce

Credit: Blaine Moats

Don't let their miniature size fool you. Each tiny muffin tin loaf is bursting with bold flavor, thanks to a North African-inspired sauce featuring oven-roasted peppers, dates, and a punchy blend of spices. Ground pork keeps them succulent, while ground turkey breast offers a lighter protein boost.

Buy It: OvenStuff Muffin Pan with Click'N Go Lid ($20, Target)

Bacon-and-Egg Muffins

Credit: Andy Lyons

Transform your morning meal into a grab-and-go affair. Crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and cornmeal batter combine in our all-in-one breakfast muffin tin meal. Just add a piece of fruit and you'll be well-fueled until lunch.

Strawberry Cream Scuffins

Credit: Andy Lyons

Scones + muffins = scuffins! Not only are the tasty treats bursting with sweet strawberry and cream flavors, but they're also perfect for any breakfast or brunch (even just a weekday before-school or -work breakfast). Bake a batch of these mini cupcake tin meals to pair with a cup of yogurt or hard-boiled egg all week long.

Breakfast Ham and Egg Cups

Credit: Andy Lyons

What is a muffin tin used for at breakfast besides muffins? Eggs, of course. Instead of driving through for coffee shop sous vide egg bites, DIY. Just five ingredients make up our healthy yet hearty breakfast bites. Simply line each muffin cup with a thin slice of ham, then fill with eggs, tomatoes, and basil pesto.

Savory Stromboli Cups

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Flip regular stromboli on its head. Instead of filling a pastry crust with your favorite pizza ingredients, bake them in pastry shells. We added bell pepper, turkey, capicola, and cheese, but you can certainly adjust this muffin tin recipe dinner to fit your preferences and dietary needs.

Crab-Shrimp Cakes with Mango-Cucumber Salsa

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Are those crumbly pan-fried crab cakes that fall apart as you flip 'em making you, well, crabby? Turn to this recipe using a muffin pan to keep your crab cakes in shape. The panko-coated cakes feature a mix of crab and shrimp, and they only get better once topped in a refreshing salsa made from fresh mango, cucumber, and salsa verde.

Rosemary, Cherry, and Ham Stuffing Cups

Credit: Andy Lyons

While a traditional ham dinner accompanied with rosemary-spiked stuffing and a side of sweet butternut squash sounds like something you might be able to dive into only at Easter and Christmas, we say you should be able to savor all the same flavors any day of the year. These individual-size muffin tin meals combine roasted squash, leftover or purchased deli ham, dried cherries, bread cubes, and more. The petite-size meals mean you can have this full, filling dinner on the table in just 1 hour.

Muffin Pan Tuna Melts

Credit: Jason Donnelly

If you love tuna melts, we have the quick-fix recipe for you. This easy muffin tin dinner recipe is jam-packed with all your favorites from the original. Atop the honey wheat bread base, you'll find tuna, dried cranberries, mayo, and melted cheese. Yes, please!

Related: 19 Canned Salmon and Tuna Recipes You'll Actually Be Excited to Eat

Mini Ice Cream Dippers with Double-Dip Fondue

Ice Cream Dippers with Double-Dip Fondue

Credit: Frances Janisch

Muffin tins can be used for more than cupcakes, come dessert. This fun ice cream idea is perfect for kids' parties, family movie nights, or even to sweeten up a long Monday. Serve everyone a tray with various toppings and scoops of ice cream with pretzel handles, then let the dipping begin.

Buy It: KitchenAid Ice Cream Scoop ($9, Target)

Ham and Swiss Quiche Cups

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Quiches are a staple at any brunch. These muffin tin meals feature a crowd-pleasing combo of eggs, ham, and Swiss all stuffed inside a flaky homemade pastry. A sprinkle of sliced green onions adds a welcoming fresh element.

Sweet Potato-Hash Brown Nests

Sweet Potato Hash Brown Nests

Credit: Blaine Moats

Like a breakfast blue plate special in muffin tin meal format, these "nests" check all the boxes. They taste like hash browns, bacon (these feature prosciutto, which tastes similar), and fried eggs all in one cup. Plus they're gluten-free, high in protein, and full of flavor all at once. Blue plate? We vote blue ribbon.

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