Description
Classic Italian-American mozzarella stuffed meatloaf brings comfort and excitement to dinner tables. Savory ground beef embraces melted cheese, creating a hearty meal families will crave with each delicious slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 1 large egg
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce:
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a loaf pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, milk, and aromatic spices until the mixture is uniformly combined.
- Distribute half of the meat mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a smooth, consistent base layer.
- Craft a gentle depression in the center of the meat layer, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella into the indentation, ensuring a small border remains around the edges.
- Carefully layer the remaining meat mixture over the cheese, meticulously sealing the edges to completely encapsulate the mozzarella and prevent any leakage during cooking.
- Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard to create a tangy glaze, then lovingly brush the entire surface of the meatloaf with the sweet and savory mixture.
- Transfer the meatloaf to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until the internal temperature reaches a safe 160F (71C).
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the juices redistribute and ensures a more tender, flavorful result when slicing.
Notes
- Press meat edges firmly to prevent mozzarella from leaking during baking, ensuring a perfect cheesy center in every slice.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version while maintaining the same rich, melty cheese filling and flavor profile.
- Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Cover meatloaf with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent surface from drying out and keep the meat tender and juicy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 392 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg