Description
This savory Italian meatloaf with cheese is the ultimate comfort food dinner, packed with ground beef, herbs, and melty mozzarella cheese. It’s juicy, cheesy, and perfect for weeknight meals, holiday gatherings, or make-ahead freezer dinners.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds ground beef
¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
½ cup milk
2 large eggs
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded or cubed
½ cup tomato paste or marinara sauce
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease or line a loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.
3. Press half the meat mixture into the loaf pan.
4. Layer mozzarella cheese in the center, keeping it away from edges.
5. Cover with remaining meat mixture, sealing the cheese inside.
6. Spread tomato paste or marinara on top.
7. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160°F.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
9. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Letting it rest after baking helps the juices settle for cleaner slices.
Shredded cheese melts more evenly while cubes give you cheesy pockets.
You can freeze individual slices for quick future dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg