Italian Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe

Italian Stuffed Meatloaf is a delicious twist on the classic, rustic meatloaf recipe. This dinner combines hearty ground beef, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, onion and olives with your favorite pasta sauce and Italian spices. Enjoy it alongside a fresh green salad, with a slice of toasted garlic bread, or mashed sweet potatoes.

You can customize this meal to suite your preferences, and bring in more flavor and variety. Adding pork sausage to the ground beef will bring in a depth of flavor and richness to this meatloaf mozzarella stuffed meal. The inclusions can also be changed up to include your favorite veggies, cheeses, or finishing topping.

Meatloaf is an easy assemble and bake recipe that makes a great family dinner. It can even be made ahead and kept covered in the fridge for up to a full day until you are ready to bake it. This is one of our favorite meals to enjoy during the week because it can be as simple as we need it to be.

We are walking you through our method of making this mozzarella stuffed meatloaf, but please take it as a starting point of inspiration and make it your own.

Should meatloaf be bake covered or uncovered?

Meatloaf does not need to be covered with foil during the baking process. However, because meatloaf is such a dense dish it does require a long cook time which can lead to the top getting burned. Covering the meatloaf will protect the top from getting burned and creating a hard crust.

Covering the dish will also help to keep it moist and prevent the top and edges from drying out during the long cook time. A foil cover will help create steam inside the dish which will trap moisture and keep it flavorful and juicy.

Is it better to cook meatloaf at a lower temperature?

Usually 350 degrees F is the recommended temperature for cooking meatloaf. By increasing the heat you risk drying out the meat and losing the juices in the dish. Cooking meatloaf can take a while, but it is better to cook it low and slow.

What is the secret to juicy meatloaf?

Moisture and added liquids are very important when preparing a meatloaf. Using ingredients like ketchup, Worcestershire, eggs, mustards and other wet ingredients like bbq sauces will help to bring in more liquid and create moisture.

Juicy, delicious meatloafs are a result of proper cook temperature, the right balance of wet ingredients, and sauces.

What is the best binder for meatloaf?

A variety of things can be used to help bind your Italian stuffed meatloaf including dry bread crumbs, oats, and milk soaked bread. We use egg and oats for a simple binder that is tried and true. However, if you are looking for a flavor boost along with a delicious texture consider trying milk soaked bread.

What do you put in Italian stuffed meatloaf?

Well, any traditional Italian ingredients and spices will definitely be welcomed to the party. Here is a list of our favorites ideas and suggestions to try in addition to our original recipe.

• Add Italian sausage to the ground beef mixture
• Use any combination of Italian cheeses
• You could fill the meatloaf with proscuitto or another Italian deli meat
• Stuff it with chopped spinach or arugula
• Definitely use fresh Italian spices and seasonings
• Mustards add a depth of flavor that compliments the spices
• Add fresh garlic and onions into the mixture

How can I improve the flavor of my Italian stuffed meatloaf?

Using fresh, good quality ingredients will always increase the flavor and texture of your meatloaf. For this recipe we used our homemade marinara sauce which brings a wonderfully robust flavor that store bought simple cant. Also, homemade sun dried tomatoes would be great layered into the filling and will increase the Mediterranean flavors.

The quality of the meat used will also affect the flavor of the this dish. Try to find local, organically raised, grass fed meats.

Recipe for Italian Stuffed Meatloaf

This recipe is easy, delicious and pretty versatile. Try peppers and hot sauce, Italian seasonings and various white or smoky cheeses. It all works if you like it, and it will still be Italian. Enjoy your meatloaf!

If you have extras, considering turning the leftovers into a delicious meatloaf sandwich. It makes a delicious, hearty meal with outstanding flavor. The warmed meatloaf makes it a hot sandwich that almost anyone will enjoy for lunch.

Be sure to check out these other meatloaf recipes too!

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