Description
This Stuffed Italian Meatloaf recipe is a flavorful twist on the classic comfort dish, featuring a savory blend of ground beef, Italian herbs, and parmesan cheese encasing a gooey mozzarella center. Baked to perfection and glazed with rich marinara sauce, this meatloaf is perfect for a hearty family dinner that delights with every slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 Tbsp dried)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Filling
- 6–8 oz (170–225 g) fresh mozzarella, cut into thick sticks or cubes
Glaze
- 1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for glazing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Prepare a loaf pan by lining it or use a rimmed baking sheet for shaping the meatloaf.
- Soften Breadcrumbs: In a small bowl, soak Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with whole milk, letting them sit for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Seasonings: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan, finely diced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the soaked breadcrumbs, ensuring even mixture.
- Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the bowl and mix gently using clean hands until everything is evenly combined. Avoid overworking to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Shape Base of Meatloaf: On a clean lightly oiled surface or parchment paper, pat half of the meat mixture into a rectangular loaf roughly 9 by 5 inches in size.
- Add Cheese Filling: Arrange the fresh mozzarella sticks or cubes down the center of the shaped base, leaving about an inch of space on each end.
- Form Meatloaf: Carefully cover the cheese with the remaining meat mixture, sealing the edges well to encase the cheese fully and shape a loaf.
- Place In Pan & Glaze: Transfer the loaf seam side down into the prepared loaf pan or onto your baking sheet. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches about 160 °F (71 °C) and the meat is cooked through.
- Glaze During Baking: In the last 10 minutes of baking, spoon additional marinara sauce over the top to create a flavorful glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This step helps the cheese stay melted inside and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatloaf tender and moist.
- Allowing the meatloaf to rest helps the cheese stay inside and prevents it from oozing out when sliced.
- You can substitute fresh mozzarella with low-moisture mozzarella for less liquid inside.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160 °F for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to preserve moisture.
