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Stuffed Italian Meatloaf

This Stuffed Italian Meatloaf combines seasoned beef with a gooey cheese and veggie filling for a delightful twist on traditional meatloaf.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Mixture
  • 2 lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional but recommended
For the Stuffing
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup provolone cheese, sliced or shredded
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
  • 1/2 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced optional
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
For the Glaze
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it.
  2. Mince the garlic, dice the onion, chop the parsley, and prepare the filling ingredients.
Mix the Meat
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and milk.
  2. Add in garlic, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix by hand until just combined.
  3. Set the mixture aside to rest for 5 minutes.
Build the Base Layer
  1. Press two-thirds of the meat mixture into the bottom and sides of the prepared loaf pan.
Add the Stuffing
  1. Layer mozzarella and provolone cheese on the meat base.
  2. Add roasted red peppers, followed by spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives (if using).
Seal the Top
  1. Flatten the remaining meat mixture and lay it over the filling, sealing the edges.
Apply the Glaze
  1. Mix marinara sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and basil in a small bowl and spread it evenly over the loaf.
Bake It
  1. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.
  2. After 45 minutes, add another layer of glaze and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes.
Rest Before Slicing
  1. Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

This Meatloaf reheats beautifully and can be topped with creamy mashed potatoes or served with crusty Italian bread.