This Cheesy Stuffed Italian Meatloaf comes together in about 1 hour and is baked to perfection for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You’re in for a treat that’s loaded with flavors and let me tell you, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients Needed For Italian Meatloaf:
Let’s dive into the ingredient list! This is where the magic happens. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in making this meatloaf not only flavorful but also a filling family favorite.
2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend): This fat-to-lean ratio gives you a juicy meatloaf that’s not too dry, trust me, you don’t want the lean stuff here!
2 large eggs: These act as the binding agents to hold everything together. Without them, it might just fall apart during baking!
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs: This helps with texture, adding a delightful crunch that brings everything together.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: You’re going to want that salty, nutty flavor which enhances the meatloaf to gourmet levels!
1/4 cup milk: Just a splash to keep your meatloaf moist, nobody likes a dry meatloaf!
3 cloves garlic, minced: Because garlic makes everything better, right? It adds an aromatic touch that pulls everything together beautifully.
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning: The secret blend of herbs will really elevate this dish, giving it that comforting Italian vibe.
1 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches to enhance all the other flavors!
1/2 teaspoon black pepper: For a bit of a kick, feel free to adjust based on your family’s taste!
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped: This sneaks in some greens! Plus, it’s great for adding color and healthiness.
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided: Because who doesn’t love gooey, melty cheese in their meatloaf?
2 cups marinara sauce, plus extra for serving: This is the perfect accompaniment! It adds moisture during baking and is fantastic on the side.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped: This is optional but gives a nice fresh garnish plus, it looks pretty!
Get Ready to Bake!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by spraying it lightly with non-stick cooking spray, it’ll ensure an easy release later.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands, nothing beats the good ol’ hand mix for this kind of recipe! Mix until everything is well combined and you can actually smell that fragrant garlic. Yum!
Spread half of the meat mixture into the baking dish. Shape it into a rectangular log or whatever shape you fancy.
Layer in the good stuff: Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese (because cheese), the chopped spinach, and 1/2 cup of marinara sauce. This is where it gets gourmet!
Now, cover the cheese and greens with the remaining meat mixture, making sure to seal those edges. You don’t want that delicious cheesy goodness leaking out while it bakes!
Spread another 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over the top. It not only adds moisture while baking but also helps keep it nice and flavorful.
Place it in the oven and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. You’re looking for it to reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Five minutes before it’s done, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top, and let it bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until it’s melted and bubbly.
Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing, trust me, this is essential. This way, you avoid losing all the juices when you cut it. Garnish with fresh parsley, serve it warm with additional marinara sauce on the side, and there you have it! Incredible comfort food!
If you loved this meatloaf, be sure to check out my Easy garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves, my Classic Cowboy Meatloaf, or my Turkey meatloaf!
Why This Italian Meatloaf Works
Customizable
The beauty of this Cheesy Stuffed Italian Meatloaf is how versatile it is! You can easily switch ingredients based on what you have at home. Got a few extra bell peppers hanging out? Toss those in! Prefer ground turkey? Go for it!
Comfort Food
Honestly, this meatloaf is like a warm hug from your grandma, but fancier. It’s loaded to the brim with flavor, and every bite is packed with comfort. Plus, who doesn’t love cheese?
Quick & Easy
You can whip this up in under an hour, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when time is scarce but you still want to enjoy a delicious meal. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen before you know it!
Meal Prep Friendly
This dish is fantastic for meal prepping! Make a double batch, slice it up, and freeze those beauts for later. It reheats beautifully, trust me.
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve with This
Pair your meatloaf with a fresh garden salad, roasted vegetables, or some garlic bread on the side to soak up that marinara sauce. You could even serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or a side of steamed green beans for a complete meal!
Storage
Leftovers? Yes, please! This meatloaf keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with aluminum foil for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual slices for a few minutes.
Freezer Friendly
Yes, this meatloaf is freezer-friendly! Once cooked and cooled, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer, just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating!
Honestly, I can’t wait for you to try this Cheesy Stuffed Italian Meatloaf! It’s truly a delightful twist on a classic dish that will have your family asking for seconds. It’s my absolute favorite, each bite is more incredible than the last! Now, I think I’ll go whip one up! Enjoy, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Cheesy Stuffed Italian Meatloaf
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Beef
Description
This delicious Cheesy Stuffed Italian Meatloaf comes together in under an hour and is baked to perfection for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 2 cups marinara sauce, plus extra for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Spread half of the meat mixture into the baking dish, shaping it into a rectangular log.
- Layer in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, the chopped spinach, and 1/2 cup of marinara sauce.
- Cover with the remaining meat mixture and seal the edges.
- Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Five minutes before it’s done, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top and bake until melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with additional marinara sauce and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Customize with leftover vegetables or herbs as desired. Great for meal prep and freezing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg