Here’s a flavorful Italian-Style Meatloaf — juicy ground meat, Italian herbs, and tomato-based glaze, perfect for a comforting dinner.
🍝 Italian-Style Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (or mix beef and pork)
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 jar (about 24 oz) marinara or tomato sauce (for topping)
- Optional: ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Prepare the meatloaf
- In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 2–3 minutes.
- Add ground meat, egg, onion, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently until combined; avoid overmixing to keep it tender.
3️⃣ Shape and bake
- Place meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape into a loaf.
- Spread ½ of the marinara sauce over the top.
- Bake 55–65 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
4️⃣ Add cheese (optional)
- If using mozzarella, spread over meatloaf during the last 5–10 minutes of baking and return to oven until melted.
5️⃣ Serve
- Let meatloaf rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with remaining marinara sauce on the side or drizzled on top.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra flavor.
- Swap marinara for a mix of ketchup, Italian herbs, and a splash of Worcestershire for a tangy glaze.
- Make mini meatloaves in muffin tins for individual servings.
- Leftovers work great in sandwiches the next day.
I can also give you:
- Slow cooker Italian meatloaf
- Cheesy stuffed Italian meatloaf
- Low-carb version using almond flour or crushed pork rinds
Do you want a classic baked loaf or a slow-cooker hands-off version?
