Here’s a hearty and flavorful Italian Stuffed Meatloaf with Marinara — packed with cheese, herbs, and classic Italian flavors.
🍖 Italian Stuffed Meatloaf with Marinara
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 lbs ground beef (or half beef, half pork for extra flavor)
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For the Filling:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (optional)
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Make Meatloaf Mixture
- In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
- Add ground meat, egg, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and parsley.
- Mix gently until just combined (avoid overmixing).
3️⃣ Assemble Meatloaf
- Flatten half of the meat mixture into a loaf shape on a greased pan.
- Layer mozzarella, Parmesan, roasted peppers, and basil on top.
- Cover with remaining meat mixture and seal edges.
4️⃣ Bake
- Cover loosely with foil and bake 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until meatloaf is cooked through (internal temperature 160°F / 71°C).
5️⃣ Prepare Marinara
- While baking, heat marinara sauce with olive oil and Italian seasoning in a small saucepan.
- Keep warm until ready to serve.
6️⃣ Serve
- Slice meatloaf and spoon marinara sauce over each serving.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil.
🌟 Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, mix in ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in the filling.
- Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a different cheesy flavor.
- Make individual mini meatloaves for easy portion control or meal prep.
- Serve with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
I can also create a low-carb/keto version or a slow-cooker version if you want a hands-off approach.
Do you want me to do that?