Italian Meatloaf

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Delicious Italian Meatloaf tastes just like a giant meatball with more flavor! It’s juicy, tender, and makes a hearty and satisfying dinner any night of the week. 

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italian meatloaf recipe

This flavorful meatloaf is sure to make the best dinner and everyone will fall in love with this cozy dish. Similar to classic meatloaf except we add Italian flavor such as pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, garlic, basil, parmesan cheese, and Italian bread crumbs.

I love the way my house smells while this bakes from all of the delicious ingredients, it’s just the best! We make this tender meatloaf extra special by adding gooey mozzarella cheese to the meatloaf mixture and on top of the meatloaf so it’s extra cheesy. 

​If you love Italian food, be sure to try my Italian Meatballs and Pasta, Pastina, Italian Sliders, and Pastina Soup. 

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key ingredients

• Beef: I use a 80/20 lean ground beef and fat ratio blend but you could go even leaner if you prefer. You’ll need 1 pound ground beef total.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent and holds the ingredients together.
• Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated if possible.
• Fresh basil and fresh parsley: Fresh is always best and adds the best flavor but alternatively you could use dried. 
• Sauce: Use homemade or store-bought pasta sauce (spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce). This is different from a can of tomato sauce because the sauce has more flavor.
• Bread crumbs: I love using the Italian breadcrumbs because it adds more flavor since it’s already seasoned. You could also use plain or Panko breadcrumbs.
• Seasonings: We use garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper to add flavor.

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how to make italian meatloaf

Combine ingredients: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and in a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, seasonings, basil, parsley, 1/2 cup of sauce, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and egg. Gently mix together with your clean hands or a spoon until all of the ingredients are combined.

Form meatloaf: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray or olive oil. Form meat mixture into a loaf shape about 1 inch thick and 8 inches long and 4 inches wide.

Bake: Bake meatloaf for 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the remaining 1/2 cup pasta sauce on top by evenly spread it out with a spoon. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and bake for 10 more minutes or until cheese has melted and the internal temperature from a meat thermometer is at least 160 degrees. The cooking time may vary for each oven. Serve and enjoy!

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recipe tips & variations

• Add spice: Add red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce to the mixture before baking.
• Gluten-free: Make this a gluten-free meatloaf by using gluten-free bread crumbs.
• Add veggies: If you want to add veggies you can shred or chop them and add them to the meat mixture. Zucchini, carrots, red bell peppers, chopped spinach, and mushrooms are great options .
• Healthier alternative: Looking for a healthier alternative? Swap the beef for ground turkey meat or ground chicken meat for a leaner option. You could also use leaner beef.
• Bake in meatloaf pan: If you want to bake this in a loaf pan you could. Just be sure to cook the meatloaf for at least 60 minutes.
• Combination of meats: Use a combination of ground beef and ground pork or ground sausage. Just about any ground meat will work!

what to serve with italian meatloaf

I love serving this meatloaf with a big Italian salad, roasted potatoes and a green veggie like green beans, brussels sprouts, or broccoli. 

I also love eating leftovers and making a meatloaf sandwich the next day with Italian bread or sliced wheat bread. My toddler even loved this idea! 

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leftovers & storage

To-store: Cover meatloaf with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed.

To-freeze: Cool meatloaf completely and wrap in slices or wrap whole meatloaf in plastic wrap, and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s best to thaw completely before reheating and warming.

Reheat meatloaf in a 400 degree F. oven for 10-15 minutes if refrigerated, or 30-40 minutes if frozen. You could also microwave until warmed.

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