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Stuffed Italian Meatloaf

A hearty and flavorful dish combining classic meatloaf with Italian-inspired filling, featuring mozzarella cheese and spinach, topped with rich marinara sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Mixture
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef
  • 0.5 lbs ground Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • to taste Salt and pepper
Stuffing
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
  • 0.25 cup marinara sauce
Topping
  • 0.5 cup marinara sauce (for topping)
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and parsley.
  3. Pour in the milk, season with salt and pepper, and mix everything until well combined.
  4. On a baking sheet, shape the meat mixture into a rectangular loaf, about 9 x 12 inches.
  5. Create a well in the center of the meatloaf and stuff it with shredded mozzarella, chopped spinach (if using), and a spoonful of marinara sauce.
  6. Carefully fold the meat around the filling and seal the edges to form a loaf shape.
  7. Spread the remaining marinara sauce on top of the meatloaf and sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Baking
  1. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  2. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Serving
  1. Slice the meatloaf into thick pieces and place them on a serving platter.
  2. Drizzle extra marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
  3. Serve alongside roasted vegetables or garlic mashed potatoes.

Notes

For added nutrition, consider incorporating diced bell peppers or zucchini. Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano for enhanced flavor. Experiment with different cheeses such as provolone or fontina for variation. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.