Stuffed Italian Meatloaf Recipe
This Stuffed Italian Meatloaf is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring a blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, seasoned with classic Italian herbs and spices, and filled with melted mozzarella cheese and spinach. Topped with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
- Author: Grace
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- ½ lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- ½ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Stuffing
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
Topping
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the meatloaf evenly.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley. Pour in the milk, season with salt and pepper, then mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape Meatloaf: On a baking sheet, shape the meat mixture into a rectangular loaf measuring about 9 by 12 inches, ensuring it is compact and even.
- Add Stuffing: Make a well down the center of the meatloaf and fill it with shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped spinach (if using), and ¼ cup of marinara sauce, distributing evenly.
- Seal Loaf: Carefully fold the edges of the meat around the filling, sealing it completely to encase the stuffing inside a loaf shape.
- Apply Topping: Spread the remaining ½ cup marinara sauce on top of the meatloaf and sprinkle with additional ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring it is cooked safely through.
- Rest: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
- Serve: Slice the meatloaf into portions and serve with extra marinara sauce if desired for added flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the spinach with other greens like kale or omit it for a simpler version.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F for safe consumption.
- Use fresh herbs if available for enhanced flavor.
- This meatloaf can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6 of loaf)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Italian meatloaf, stuffed meatloaf, Italian sausage meatloaf, cheese stuffed meatloaf, easy meatloaf recipe