Description
A comforting Italian-style meatloaf stuffed with gooey mozzarella and marinara sauce, perfect for a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 0.5 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella ball, sliced
- 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Separate about half of the meat mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of the loaf pan.
- Arrange the sliced mozzarella evenly over the meat layer, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Spoon the marinara sauce over the mozzarella, spreading gently but evenly.
- Carefully spread the remaining meat mixture over the sauce, pressing gently to seal the edges and cover the cheese completely.
- Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Tent loosely with foil after 30 minutes if the top browns too quickly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). The juices should run clear.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Slice thick pieces and spoon extra marinara on top if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid a tough meatloaf. Use milk-soaked breadcrumbs to keep it moist. Let the meatloaf rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute and cheese to set. If marinara is watery, simmer it before layering to prevent sogginess. Tent with foil if browning too fast. For crispy edges, bake uncovered last 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of meat
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Italian meatloaf, mozzarella stuffed meatloaf, marinara meatloaf, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy meatloaf