Italian Meatloaf

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until softened and caramelized. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and remove the skillet from heat. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, beaten eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Add the cooled onion and garlic mixture and mix until well combined.
5. Line a baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil. Shape the meat mixture into a 5×9-inch loaf and place it on the prepared sheet.
6. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour marinara sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
7. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the meatloaf is cooked through in the center.
8. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes, tented with foil, before slicing.
9. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, then slice and serve.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty Level: Medium

Variations & Substitutions

• Turkey Meatloaf: Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Extra Cheese: Mix mozzarella into the meat mixture for extra cheesy bites.
• Italian Twist: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to the filling.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour instead of regular breadcrumbs.

Serving Suggestions