Italian Meatloaf Recipe: Zesty Comfort Food Magic at Home

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this hearty Italian meatloaf recipe delivers comfort straight to your plate.

Juicy ground beef mingles with classic Italian seasonings, creating a mouthwatering main course that everyone will love.

Fragrant herbs and rich tomato sauce infuse each slice with robust flavor.

The blend of parmesan, breadcrumbs, and eggs ensures a tender, perfectly textured meal that comes together effortlessly.

Crispy edges and a succulent interior make this dish a standout centerpiece for any dinner table.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of traditional and contemporary flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to savor an Italian-inspired classic that transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Equipment for Italian Meatloaf

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients thoroughly and mixing ground meats.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for soaking bread cubes and preparing initial mixture.
• Loaf Pan: Key for shaping and baking the meatloaf with even heat distribution.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurately portioning ingredients like cheese and marinara sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Helps chop herbs and dice vegetables precisely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing ingredients without overworking the meat.
• Oven Mitts: Protect hands when handling hot loaf pan during baking.

How to Make Italian Meatloaf

• Oven Preparation Kitchen Warmup

Set the oven to a toasty 400°F and get your loaf pan ready with a quick spray or parchment paper lining.

• Bread Soaking Magic

Grab some bread cubes and let them swim in milk for a few minutes, getting soft and dreamy.

• Flavor Foundation

In a big mixing bowl, create a flavor explosion by combining soaked bread with aromatic onions, garlic, herbs, and a touch of salt. Crush and blend everything into a delicious paste.

• Meat Mixing Celebration

Toss in ground beef and sausage, breaking them into tiny pieces. Splash in Worcestershire sauce, crack an egg, and sprinkle bread crumbs, Parmesan, and a handful of mozzarella. Mix gently until just combined – don’t overwork the mixture.

• Loaf Shaping

Transfer the meaty mixture into your prepared pan, sculpting it into a beautiful loaf. Crown it with a generous layer of marinara sauce.

• First Baking Round

Pop the pan into the oven and bake uncovered for 40 minutes, letting the flavors meld and develop.

• Cheesy Finale

Pull out the meatloaf, add a final layer of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Bake for another quick 5 minutes.

• Resting and Serving

Let the meatloaf sit and relax for 10 minutes, then slice and serve with extra marinara on the side. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Tips for Juicy Italian Meatloaf

• Swap ground beef and sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, maintaining the same rich Italian flavors.
• Add grated zucchini or finely chopped mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra juiciness and hidden vegetable nutrition.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or swap regular Parmesan for a spicy pepper-infused cheese to kick up the heat and excitement.
• Prepare the meatloaf mixture the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together intensely before baking.
• Replace regular bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for celiac-friendly dining.

Serving Ideas for Italian Meatloaf

• Pair with Fresh Green Salad: Crisp mixed greens tossed in a light Italian vinaigrette perfectly complement the rich, savory flavors of the meatloaf.
• Serve alongside Garlic Bread: Warm, buttery garlic bread provides a delicious accompaniment that soaks up the extra marinara sauce and adds a comforting texture.
• Create a Hearty Plate: Add roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots to create a complete, nutritious meal that balances the meat's heartiness.
• Finish with Red Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the meatloaf's robust Italian-inspired flavors and create a restaurant-quality dining experience.

How to Store Italian Meatloaf

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Slice cooled meatloaf into individual portions. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Add a splash of marinara sauce to prevent dryness.
• Pack Perfect Lunches: Cut cold meatloaf into thin slices for sandwiches or dice into salads. Excellent protein-packed meal prep option that tastes delicious the next day.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need for Italian Meatloaf

• Cubed Bread: Soft, day-old bread helps create a tender meatloaf texture and absorbs moisture beautifully.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients, creating a silky, smooth meatloaf consistency.

• Ground Beef, Sausage: Rich, flavorful combination providing deep meaty essence and complex taste profile.
• Egg: Natural binder that holds the meatloaf together, ensuring perfect slice-able texture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami depth and tangy richness to enhance overall meat flavor.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds robust, savory foundation for the meatloaf.
• Parsley, Oregano, Italian Seasoning: Fresh herbs introducing bright, Mediterranean-inspired flavor notes.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and elevating all ingredient flavors.
• Bread Crumbs: Helps maintain moisture and provides lightweight, tender structure.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty complexity to the meat mixture.
• Marinara Sauce: Brings vibrant tomato sweetness and classic Italian character.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy topping that melts beautifully, creating irresistible golden-brown finish.

Rustic Italian Meatloaf Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty classic Italian meatloaf brings robust flavors from Mediterranean ingredients. Savory ground beef, herbs, and parmesan cheese combine for a comforting meal you will want to devour.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• ½ pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup mozzarella and fontina cheese, shredded, divided
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• ¾ cup bread crumbs
• 1 cup Italian or white bread, crusts removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tbsp milk
• ¾ cup marinara, divided, plus more for serving
• ½ cup white onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, minced, plus more for garnish (optional)
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano, minced
• 1 tsp coarse kosher salt
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or parchment paper for effortless removal.
2. Bread Mixture: Soak bread cubes in milk, then combine with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, and salt to create a fragrant herb-infused paste.
3. Meat Blend: Gently fold ground beef and Italian sausage into the herb mixture, ensuring even distribution without compressing the meat too firmly.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, mixing delicately to preserve the meat’s tender texture.
5. Shaping and Initial Baking: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared pan, forming a compact loaf, and spread additional marinara sauce across the top. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until the meat is thoroughly cooked and develops a rich, golden crust.
6. Cheese Finale: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and optional Italian seasoning over the meatloaf, returning to the oven for a final 5 minutes to create a melted, bubbling topping.
7. Serving: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute, then slice and serve with extra marinara sauce for added moisture and flavor.

Notes

• Moisture Magic: Soaking bread in milk creates a tender, juicy texture that prevents dry, tough meatloaf.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Handle meat mixture with light touches to avoid compressing proteins, which can make meatloaf dense and tough.
• Cheese Distribution: Incorporate mozzarella and Parmesan throughout the mixture for melty pockets of flavor and added richness.
• Resting Ritual: Allowing meatloaf to rest after baking helps redistribute juices, ensuring each slice remains succulent and flavorful.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg