Parmesan Meatloaf Recipe

Parmesan Meatloaf Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• ½ bell pepper, diced (I used orange, as it was what I had on hand)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 2 slices of white bread, torn into pieces
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese, reserve ¾ cup for topping
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce, with an additional ½ to ¾ cup for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Sauté Vegetables: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and bell peppers, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and bell peppers. Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, basil, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs, torn white bread, milk, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and ¾ cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
4. Shape the Meatloaf: Using your hands, form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it onto a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Pour ½ to ¾ cup of marinara sauce over the top of the meatloaf and spread evenly.
5. Bake: Place the meatloaf in the oven and bake for about 50-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the meat is no longer pink in the center.
6. Add Cheese Topping: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and top it with the reserved ¾ cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with a little dried basil if desired. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Once baked, let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with extra marinara sauce if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Parmesan Meatloaf!