Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork
- 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce or tomato sauce
- Fresh basil and parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: sliced pepperoni or cooked Italian sausage for extra flavor
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs, Parmesan, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated but do not overmix.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a loaf pan, shape half of the meat mixture into a rectangle. Spread marinara sauce over it and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly. Carefully place remaining meat mixture over the cheese, sealing edges to encase filling.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the stuffed meatloaf for 55-60 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). During the last 10 minutes, spoon additional marinara sauce on top and sprinkle extra cheese.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with sides like smashed carrots or pasta. Garnish with basil or parsley for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Use gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to make it gluten-free.
- Replace bread crumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for low-carb options.
- Reheat leftovers in oven or microwave; freeze for longer storage, wrapped tightly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Contains Dairy, Contains Meat
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg