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Slices of baked Italian Meatloaf Recipe layered with melted mozzarella cheese and rich marinara sauce on a white platter, garnished with fresh chopped parsley on a marble background.

How to Make the Perfect Italian Meatloaf Recipe at Home

By Nancy
Make this Italian Meatloaf Recipe with ground beef, Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, and a rich tomato glaze. A juicy, flavorful comfort food perfect for family dinners and meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Rest time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 8
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef 80/20 works best for moisture
  • ½ pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 small onion diced small
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

  • Set your oven to 375°F first thing. Line a baking sheet with parchment, or grease a loaf pan for cleaner, more defined edges.
    An empty glass rectangular baking dish lined with brown parchment paper, prepared for baking an Italian meatloaf recipe

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

  • Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft, translucent, and fragrant — about five minutes.
    Chopped onions and minced garlic sautéing in olive oil within a black skillet. A wooden spatula stirs the mixture

Step 3: Mix the Base

  • In a large bowl, combine beef, sausage, ricotta, breadcrumbs, eggs, parmesan, parsley, and seasonings. Fold in the cooled onion mixture. Mix gently with your hands
    A large glass mixing bowl filled with Italian meatloaf ingredients, including ground meat, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, sautéed onions, grated parmesan, fresh parsley, eggs, and Italian seasonings.

Step 4: Shape and Stuff

  • Flatten half the mixture into a rectangle on your prepared pan. Layer mozzarella down the center for the stuffed version.
    Top with remaining meat, pressing and sealing every edge so molten cheese stays put during baking.
    italian meatloaf recipe into a large loaf and stuffed with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese, sitting in a parchment-lined glass baking dish on a marble countertop before baking.

Step 5: Top It Off

  • Spread marinara generously across the entire surface.
    A large Italian meatloaf shaped in a glass baking dish, generously smothered and surrounded by thick, vibrant marinara sauce on a parchment paper lining with a marble counter background.

Step 6: Bake and Slicing

  • Bake 55-60 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Use a meat thermometer
    Let it rest 10 full minutes. Slice too early, though, and everything collapses messily on the plate.
    Baked Italian meatloaf in a glass dish, smothered in rich marinara and topped with a thick, bubbling layer of melted golden mozzarella cheese, resting on a marble background.

Notes

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 24g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fiber: 1g
Keyword Italian Meatloaf Recipe