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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.
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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!
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)
Recipe for Italian Meatloaf
- 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.
- 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.
- Squeeze any remaining milk out of the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Mix well.
- 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.
- 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!)
- Top with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until the cheese is golden and melted. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
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 Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
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.
Side Dishes for Meatloaf
Meatloaf Recipes
For temps, check my Meatloaf Temps guide!
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Italian Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- 2 Large bowls for soaking bread and combining meat mixture
- 1 9 by 5 inch loaf pan
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
- 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
- Squeeze any remaining milk out of the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Mix well.
- Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Add the meat to the loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- 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
- Top with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.½ cup tomato sauce, ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until the cheese is golden and melted. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
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
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Susan says
love, love this idea. I've been making stuffed Italian meatloaf for decades. my family loved meatloaf night, and still does.
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Susan! This is absolutely one of our favorites. Stuffed meatloaf is so good!