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    Home » Recipes » Italian Beef Recipes

    Italian Meatloaf Recipe

    Published: Aug 8, 2023 Modified: Sep 22, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    Stuffed with gooey cheese and seasoned to perfection, this Italian Meatloaf recipe is a total game-changer. Kids love the flavors of this easy meatloaf recipe - and you'll love it, too! Ready in under 1 hour using simple ingredients.

    close up of Italian Meatloaf cut in half with cheese pouring out from the center
    Jump to:
    • Italian Meatloaf
    • Stuffed Meatloaf Ingredients
    • Recipe for Italian Meatloaf
    • Italian Meatloaf Recipes Tips
    • Meatball Recipe Variations
    • Italian Meatloaf Recipe FAQs
    • Side Dishes for Meatloaf
    • Meatloaf Recipes
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Italian Meatloaf

    Meatloaf is one of my family's favorite comfort food dishes, and whenever we're craving something hearty and warm, this Italian meatloaf is our go-to dinner.

    Not only is this meatloaf topped with cheese, but it's also stuffed with it, too! Ooey, gooey melty mozzarella in the center makes this Italian-style meatloaf extra special. It's even soft and extra moist from the milk-soaked bread mixed in!

    If you love Italian meatballs, you are going to love this recipe! Serve this Italian meatloaf for dinner, and I doubt you'll even have enough leftovers to save from everyone wanting seconds. It's just that good!

    Italian meatloaf sliced on a wood cutting board

    Stuffed Meatloaf Ingredients

    • Lean ground beef
    • Italian sausage
    • White bread
    • Milk of choice - we used whole milk
    • Large eggs
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Garlic powder
    • Dried basil
    • Dried oregano
    • Dried rosemary
    • Dried parsley
    • Dried thyme
    • Regular bread crumbs
    • Tomato sauce
    • Shredded mozzarella
    • Block of mozzarella (optional)
    • Salt and black pepper (optional)
    Italian meatloaf ingredients

    Recipe for Italian Meatloaf

    1. Preheat oven to 375℉. In a shallow bowl, add slices of bread and pour milk over top. Allow the bread to soak for about 5 minutes.pouring milk over bread slices
    2. While the bread is soaking, stir and combine ground beef, ground sausage, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried parsley, dried thyme, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs in a large bowl. Mix well.mixing beef mixture
    3. Squeeze any remaining milk out of the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Mix well.adding bread to beef mixture
    4. Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Add the meat to the loaf pan and spread it evenly creating a loaf shape.beef mixture inside of loaf pan
    5. Create a hollow line in the middle of the meat mixture and add blocks of mozzarella cheese. Cover back up with meat. (Optional, but stuffed meatloaf is the best!)adding a stick of mozzarella cheese in the middle of the meatloaf beef inside of a loaf pan
    6. Top with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.Italian meatloaf ready for the oven
    7. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until the cheese is golden and melted. Slice, serve, and enjoy!Italian meatloaf straight out of the oven, golden brown

    Italian Meatloaf Recipes Tips

    • Stuffing the meatloaf is optional, but it really is delicious and adds so much flavor. I recommend giving it a try!
    • If your meatloaf is browning too quickly, you can tent it with foil.
    • For smaller portions, you can split the mixture into individual mini loaf pans.
    • I recommend using whole milk in your meatloaf.

    Meatball Recipe Variations

    • You can substitute ground turkey in this recipe if you prefer.
    • Many times I like to use ½ ground beef and ½ ground pork.
    • Want to add a bit of a kick to your meatloaf? add ½ teaspoon of pepper flakes.
    • You can make it a true Italian dish, add some marinara sauce on top.
    • If you want a more Italian flavor, you can add ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
    Italian meatloaf cut in half with cheese pouring out of the middle

    Italian Meatloaf Recipe FAQs

    What is the secret to moist meatloaf?

    The secret to moist meatloaf is the milk-soaked bread added to the mixture. This adds so much tenderness to the loaf that will keep it nice and juicy. In addition, using milk with breadcrumbs and eggs helps keep meatloaf tender, too.

    Do you cook meatloaf covered or uncovered?

    Bake Italian meatloaf uncovered for 40 minutes; however, all ovens are different. The center of the meatloaf should read at least 160°F on a meat thermometer. If you notice it's browning too quickly before reaching that temperature, tent aluminum foil over the top to prevent it from browning further.

    What is the best binder for meatloaf?

    The best binder for meatloaf is called a panade, and is a mixture of starch and liquid; basically, it's a combination of eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs. This helps the meat maintain its shape when baked in addition to adding texture and flavor.

    Italian meatloaf in a loaf pan on a wood cutting board

    Side Dishes for Meatloaf

    • Easy Caesar Salad
    • Creamy Mashed Potatoes
    • Mushrooms and Onions
    • Air Fryer Carrot Recipe

    Meatloaf Recipes

    • Keto Meatloaf
    • Air Fryer Meatloaf
    • Meatloaf Seasoning
    • Meatloaf Glaze

    For temps, check my Meatloaf Temps guide!

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    close up of Italian meatloaf sliced on a wood cutting board
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    4.63 from 27 votes

    Italian Meatloaf Recipe

    Italian Meatloaf is an easy meatloaf recipe you will love! Stuffed with mozzarella cheese and seasoned to perfection, this will be your go-to meatloaf.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time40 minutes mins
    Total Time55 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: Italian meatloaf, italian meatloaf recipe, italian meatloaf recipes, meatloaf recipe
    Servings: 8 slices of meatloaf
    Calories: 536kcal
    Author: Isabel Laessig

    Equipment

    • 2 Large bowls for soaking bread and combining meat mixture
    • 1 9 by 5 inch loaf pan
    • Cooking spray

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 pound ground sausage
    • 4 slices white bread
    • 1 cup milk of choice; we used whole milk
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 cup regular breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • ½ block mozzarella cheese optional, for stuffing the inside of the meatloaf

    Italian Seasoning

    • 1 tablespoon dried basil
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

    See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375℉. In a shallow bowl, add slices of bread and pour milk over top. Allow the bread to soak for about 5 minutes.
      4 slices white bread, 1 cup milk
      pouring milk over bread slices
    • While the bread is soaking, combine ground beef, ground sausage, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and 2 eggs in a large bowl. Mix well.
      1 pound ground beef, 1 pound ground sausage, 2 eggs, ½ cup parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 cup regular breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 tablespoon dried thyme
      mixing beef mixture
    • Squeeze any remaining milk out of the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Mix well.
      adding bread to beef mixture
    • Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Add the meat to the loaf pan and spread it evenly.
      beef mixture inside of loaf pan
    • Create a hollow line in the middle of the meat mixture and add blocks of mozzarella cheese. Cover back up with meat. (Optional, but stuffed meatloaf is the best!)
      ½ block mozzarella cheese
      adding a stick of mozzarella cheese in the middle of the meatloaf beef inside of a loaf pan
    • Top with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
      ½ cup tomato sauce, ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
      Italian meatloaf ready for the oven
    • Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until the cheese is golden and melted. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
      Italian meatloaf straight out of the oven, golden brown

    Video

    Notes

    • Stuffing the meatloaf is optional, but it really is delicious and adds so much flavor. I recommend giving it a try!
    • If your meatloaf is browning too quickly, you can tent it with foil.
    • For smaller portions, you can split the mixture into individual mini loaf pans.
    • I recommend using whole milk in your meatloaf.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1000mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 446IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 279mg | Iron: 3mg
    • Author
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    Isabel Laessig
    Isabel Laessig
    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
    » About Me
    Isabel Laessig
    Latest posts by Isabel Laessig (see all)
    • Meatloaf Temps - September 22, 2023
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    • Steak Seasoning - September 16, 2023

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    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
    » About Me

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan says

      October 22, 2022 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      love, love this idea. I've been making stuffed Italian meatloaf for decades. my family loved meatloaf night, and still does.

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        October 25, 2022 at 11:26 am

        Thanks so much, Susan! This is absolutely one of our favorites. Stuffed meatloaf is so good!

        Reply

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