This isn’t your average meatloaf—it’s seasoned with Italian herbs, stuffed with gooey mozzarella, spinach, and roasted red peppers, then baked to juicy perfection with a rich marinara topping.
Why You’ll Love It
- Bursting with cheesy Italian flavors 🧀
- A fun twist on classic meatloaf 🍽️
- Perfect with pasta, roasted veggies, or garlic bread 🍝
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 lbs ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage for more flavor)
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup milk
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Filling:
- 2 cups fresh spinach (lightly sautéed)
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced (jarred works fine)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
For Topping:
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven → 375°F (190°C). Line a loaf pan or baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix Meatloaf Base → In a large bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, milk, salt & pepper. Mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Assemble & Stuff →
- Place meat mixture on parchment paper and flatten into a rectangle (about ½ inch thick).
- Layer spinach, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella over the top, leaving edges clear.
- Carefully roll into a loaf, sealing edges well to keep filling inside. Transfer seam-side down into pan.
- Bake → Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes.
- Add Topping → Remove, spoon marinara over the top, sprinkle with mozzarella & Parmesan, then bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest & Serve → Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley.
Serving Ideas
- Pair with buttered spaghetti for an Italian comfort dinner 🍝
- Add a side of garlic breadsticks 🥖
- Serve with a simple green salad for balance 🥗