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Italian Meatloaf

Meet the meatloaf that dreams of pasta night—this Italian-inspired version combines ground beef and savory sausage, stuffed with gooey mozzarella and smothered in rich marinara. It’s bold, cheesy, and full of rustic charm. Want to level it up? Toss in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or fresh basil for an extra punch of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup shredded or cubed mozzarella

1 cup marinara sauce

Optional: 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes or fresh basil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Mix the meat base: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined (don’t overwork or it’ll get tough).

Shape & stuff: Press half of the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the loaf pan. Sprinkle mozzarella (and optional sun-dried tomatoes or basil) across the center, leaving a little border on all sides. Top with the remaining meat mixture, sealing edges well.

Top & bake: Spread marinara sauce over the top of the loaf. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Finish uncovered: Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes, or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Rest & serve: Let the loaf rest 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra Parmesan or basil if desired.

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