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Sliced stuffed Italian meatloaf showing melted mozzarella cheese center

Stuffed Italian Meatloaf

A savory blend of ground beef and Italian sausage wrapped around melted mozzarella cheese, creating a juicy, flavorful meatloaf perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio preferred
  • 0.5 lb ground Italian sausage mild or sweet
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup bread crumbs plain or Italian-style
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, for filling
  • 1 cup spinach chopped (optional)
  • 0.75 cup marinara sauce divided (1/4 cup for filling, 1/2 cup for topping)
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated, for topping

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet or loaf pan
  • meat thermometer
  • parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined - avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender.
  3. Turn the meat mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a rectangle approximately 9x12 inches and about 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Create a well down the center of the rectangle, leaving about 2 inches of meat on each side. Fill the well with shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped spinach (if using), and 1/4 cup marinara sauce.
  5. Carefully fold the long sides of the meat over the filling, pinching the seam firmly to seal with no gaps remaining. Gently roll the loaf so the seam is on the bottom.
  6. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  7. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 160°F (71°C).
  8. Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes slicing easier.
  9. Slice and serve with extra marinara sauce if desired.

Notes

For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture. This meatloaf can be assembled a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Gluten-free bread crumbs work well as a substitute.
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