Stuffed Italian Meatloaf Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Stuffed Italian Meatloaf combining ground beef and Italian sausage with a delicious mozzarella and spinach filling, topped with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. This classic Italian-American comfort food is perfect for a family dinner.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- ½ lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- ½ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Filling
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
Topping
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the meatloaf.
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground Italian sausage, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley. Add the milk, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Shape Meatloaf Base: On a baking sheet, shape the meat mixture into a rectangular loaf about 9×12 inches in size, making a well or indentation in the center for the filling.
- Add Filling: Spoon the shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped spinach (if using), and ¼ cup marinara sauce into the well created in the meatloaf base.
- Seal the Loaf: Carefully fold the edges of the meat around the filling, sealing it completely to form a loaf with the cheese and spinach enclosed inside.
- Add Topping: Spread the remaining ½ cup marinara sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf and sprinkle the ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring the meatloaf is fully cooked.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for moist, flavorful slices.
- Serve: Slice and serve with extra marinara sauce on the side if desired for added flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness and avoid overcooking.
- Spinach is optional but adds a nutritious and flavorful touch.
- Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing helps retain moisture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of meatloaf)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: stuffed meatloaf, Italian meatloaf, dinner recipe, baked meatloaf, mozzarella stuffed meatloaf