An Absolutely Delicious Italian Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a classic comfort food, and when it’s infused with the flavors of Italy, it becomes an absolute delight for the senses. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to create an Italian-inspired meatloaf that’s bursting with flavor. From the carefully selected ingredients to the cooking process, you’ll learn how to make an absolutely delicious Italian meatloaf that your family and friends will rave about.
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Ingredients:
Let’s start by listing the ingredients you’ll need to prepare this delectable Italian meatloaf.
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| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 lb. |
| Ground mild Italian sausage | 1/2 lb. |
| Small onion, finely chopped | 1 |
| Chopped bell pepper | 1/2 cup |
| Olive oil | 1 tsp. |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tsp. |
| Clove of garlic, minced | 1 |
| Dried oregano | 1/2 tsp. |
| Dried basil | 1/2 tsp. |
| Dried parsley | 1/2 tsp. |
| Beaten egg | 1 |
| Italian bread crumbs | 3/4 cup |
| White bread, crumbled | 2 slices |
| Milk | 1 tbsp. |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 8 oz. (reserve 3/4 cup for topping) |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/4 cup |
| Marinara sauce | 1 cup (plus 1/2 – 3/4 cup more for topping) |
Instructions:
Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step directions for creating this mouthwatering Italian meatloaf.
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- In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the finely chopped onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until they become tender. Remove from heat and set them aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and ground mild Italian sausage. Add the sautéed onion and bell pepper mixture.
- Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, dried parsley, beaten egg, Italian bread crumbs, crumbled white bread, and milk to the bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. The best tools for this job are your hands – dive in and combine everything really well.
- Once the mixture is well combined, mold it into a baking dish of your choice. An oval stoneware dish works wonderfully for this recipe.
- Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 cup of marinara sauce on top of the meatloaf mixture and spread it evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the meatloaf in the oven for 50 minutes.
- After 50 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven and top it with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle a little dried basil over the cheese.
- Return the meatloaf to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. Ensure that the meat is thoroughly cooked and not pink before serving. The baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your meatloaf. For a meatloaf that’s about 2 inches thick, this cooking time should be perfect.
