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This Italian meatloaf isn’t just an easy weeknight dinner, it’s also a flavor-packed dish! With a cheesy center and a marinara glaze, it perfectly combines rich and savory flavors in every bite.
Easy Italian Meatloaf Recipe
Italian meatloaf is a fun twist on a traditional meatloaf recipe. This recipe combines ground beef and Italian sausage so you get a hearty meatloaf with a touch of sweetness. Top it with a rich marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and you have a delicious meal full of Italian flavors.
I love making this dish for family gatherings or small parties. It’s full of flavor, but it’s also pretty too. And it pairs with so many sides like garlic bread, or just a simple green salad.
Ingredients You Will Need to Make This Recipe
- olive oil- used to sauté the mushrooms and onions.
- finely diced mushrooms (smaller is better to keep meatloaf together)
- diced onions (white or yellow)
- garlic cloves, crushed- adds extra flavor to the meatloaf.
- lean ground beef- the base of the meatloaf, combined with sausage.
- Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)- adds extra flavor to the meat combination.
- egg- helps bind the meatloaf together.
- bread crumbs-binds the meat together.
- Italian seasoning- adds extra flavor to the meatloaf.
- sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil (strained and chopped)
- salt
- ground black pepper
- marinara sauce- adds moisture to the meatloaf. Can use store bought or homemade sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese (sliced)-perfect cheesy, gooey topping for the meatloaf.
- Parmesan Reggiano cheese-freshly grated
Ingredients for Homemade Marinara Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter- adds flavor to the sautéed vegetables.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced- adds depth to the flavors of the sauce.
- 1 cup diced onion (white or yellow)- adds extra flavor to the sauce.
- 24 ounces tomato puree- smooth tomato foundation for marinara.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning-traditional herbs used in Italian dishes.
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt- adds garlic flavor to dishes without changing the texture.
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar- adds a subtle acidic taste to the sauce.
- Black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Fresh basil leaves
How to Make Italian-Style Meatloaf
STEP 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease an oval baking dish or medium-sized casserole dish with olive oil, then set aside.
STEP 2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add the diced mushrooms, onions and garlic to the saucepan. On medium heat, sauté until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
STEP 3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage (removed from casings if applicable), egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sautéed vegetables (mushrooms and onions), salt and pepper. Mix until well combined, making sure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
STEP 4. Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared oval baking dish or medium-sized casserole dish, shaping it into an oval loaf. Leave a little bit of space around the loaf for the sauce.
STEP 5. Pour the marinara sauce around the meatloaf in the baking or casserole dish, ensuring that the sauce fully coats the bottom of the dish. Make sure the sauce is deep enough when poured around the meatloaf, so it doesn’t burn while cooking.
STEP 6. Cover the meatloaf with aluminum foil (this is very important, as the marinara will splatter while cooking) Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees F.
STEP 7. Once the meatloaf is cooked, carefully remove it from the oven and switch the oven to broil. Place slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the meatloaf. Return the meatloaf to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully, so as not to let it burn.
STEP 8. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the melted mozzarella. Serve the Italian meatloaf hot, garnished with optional chopped parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, or fresh basil.
How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce
STEP 1. In a small saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil, adding the sliced mushrooms and diced onions. Lightly sauté.
STEP 2. Add tomato puree, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and balsamic vinegar to the saucepan with the mushrooms and onions. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed all the way through. Add pepper to taste.
Tips for Making Italian Meatloaf
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meat can make the meatloaf taste heavy and dense. Combine the ingredients, just until they are combined.
- Use meat thermometer: To confirm doneness, an instant-read thermometer works best to read the internal temperature. Not over cooking will also help keep the meatloaf juicy, as overcooking can cause it to be dry.
Italian Meatloaf Recipe Variations
- Cheese Options: Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a unique twist.
- Make them Meatballs: Use this recipe to make Italian meatballs. Use the meatballs for spaghetti topping, or for a delicious meatball sub! They are also great as an appetizer or side dish too.
FAQ’S
For leftover storage, first, let the meatloaf cool. Store slices of meatloaf in an airtight container, or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cooked meatloaf freezes beautifully. Slice and wrap portions individually in between parchment paper before storing in the freezer. Then thaw when you are ready to use.
Yes! Assemble the meatloaf up to a day in advance, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bake the meatloaf when you’re ready to serve!
Shape the meatloaf and then place it on a rimmed baking sheet or loaf pan, lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent any grease from spilling over into the oven.
More Dinner Recipes
Italian Meatloaf
Equipment
- large skillet
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Casserole Dish
Ingredients
Italian Meatloaf Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, ground
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup diced onion
- 24 ounces tomato puree
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Optional Garnishes: Crushed red pepper flakes Fresh parsley, chopped Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease an oval baking dish or medium-sized casserole dish with olive oil, then set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add the diced mushrooms, onions and garlic to the saucepan. On medium heat, sauté until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage (removed from casings if applicable), egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sautéed vegetables (mushrooms and onions), salt and pepper. Mix until well combined, making sure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared oval baking dish or medium-sized casserole dish, shaping it into an oval loaf. Leave a little bit of space around the loaf for the sauce.
- Pour the marinara sauce around the meatloaf in the baking or casserole dish, ensuring that the sauce fully coats the bottom of the dish. Make sure the sauce is deep enough when poured around the meatloaf, so it doesn’t burn while cooking.
- Cover the meatloaf with aluminum foil (this is very important, as the marinara will splatter while cooking) Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees F.
- Once the meatloaf is cooked, carefully remove it from the oven and switch the oven to broil. Place slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the meatloaf. Return the meatloaf to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully, so as not to let it burn.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the melted mozzarella. Serve the Italian meatloaf hot, garnished with optional chopped parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, or fresh basil.
How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil, adding the sliced mushrooms and diced onions. Lightly sauté.
- Add tomato puree, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and balsamic vinegar to the saucepan with the mushrooms and onions. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed all the way through. Add pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
