Introduction to Easy Made Italian Meatloaf
Italian meatloaf is a comforting dish that brings the hearty flavors of Italy straight to your dinner table. It’s a blend of ground beef and mild Italian sausage, which infuses the loaf with both richness and a delightful hint of spice. What sets this recipe apart is the combination of seasonings, vegetables, and cheese that creates a moist, flavorful loaf that’s sure to please the entire family. Plus, with the addition of marinara sauce and a final sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, it becomes an irresistible, cheesy delight.
Perfect for Any Night of the Week
This Easy Made Italian Meatloaf is not only delicious but also a breeze to make. With a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create a dish that feels both special and homey. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering, this meatloaf is versatile enough for any occasion. It’s a perfect balance of textures with the softness of the meat, the sharpness of the cheese, and the tanginess of marinara, all harmoniously coming together.
Flavorful Ingredients for a Rich Dish
The flavor profile of this meatloaf comes from a mixture of Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley, which infuse the meat with classic Italian flavors. Adding bell peppers and onions sautéed in olive oil gives the loaf an aromatic base, while the addition of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses brings a touch of richness that binds everything together. The result is a savory meatloaf that has just the right amount of flavor and texture in every bite.
The Perfect Comfort Food with a Cheesy Finish
The final touch of this Easy Made Italian Meatloaf is the layer of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top, which melts beautifully during the last few minutes of baking. This not only adds moisture to the dish but also creates that gooey, cheesy texture that everyone loves. After just a short time back in the oven, the meatloaf comes out golden and bubbly, ready to serve. It’s the perfect comfort food that will make your kitchen smell amazing and leave you craving more.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 C. chopped bell pepper (I used orange, it was all I had in the freezer)
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. parsley
1 egg, beaten
3/4 C. Italian bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. basil
2 slices white bread, crumbled
1 T. milk
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, reserve 3/4 C. for topping
1/4 C. parmesan cheese
1 C. marinara sauce, plus 1/2 -3/4 C. more for topping
How To Make EASY MADE ITALIAN MEATLOAF
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over med. high heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes, remove from heat. In a large bowl, add the meats, onion and peppers along with all remaining ingredients reserving 3/4 C. mozzarella cheese for topping.
Now, dive in there with the best tools God gave you, your hands and combine everything really good. Once it has all come together, place and mold the mixture in a baking dish of your choice. I used my oval Portuguese stoneware for ours. Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 C. of the marinara sauce on top and spread around.
Place in a 400 degree oven for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle a little dry basil over the top. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Make sure the meat is not pink before serving, baking time will vary depending on the thickness of your loaf. Mine was about 2″ thick.