Italian Meatloaf

5 from 5 votes

Italian Meatloaf takes the wonderful flavors of my grandmother's Italian meatballs and combines them with a traditional meatloaf recipe for a new dish your family will love.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 10

Resting Time5

Total Time1 25

Servings: slices

Calories: 406kcal

Author: Lisa Longley

Ingredients

4 slices Italian bread 5 ounces (141.7 grams)
1 pound ground beef I use 85% (453.6 grams)
1/2 pound ground pork unseasoned, see note 1 (226.8 grams)
2 eggs whisked
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (112 grams)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated (50 grams)
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce (59 grams)
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded (113 grams)
Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking dish with cooking spray. See note 2.
Soak the bread in cold water for about 5 minutes, ringing out the excess water and pulling the bread apart with your fingers.
4 slices Italian bread
Combine the meat, eggs, and parsley in a large bowl. Add the bread. Then add the dry bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
1 pound ground beef, 1/2 pound ground pork, 2 eggs, 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 garlic cloves, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley
Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in the prepared baking dish. Top with 1/4 cup of spaghetti sauce.
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce
Bake for 55 minutes, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake for 15 more minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit using an instant read thermometer. (See note 3.) Let it stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Video

Notes

Our preference for the recipe is ground pork and ground beef, but you could replace them with 1 1/2 pounds of ground turkey or ground chicken. I would opt for higher fat content.
Though we are making a loaf, it isn't necessary to use a loaf pan. I like just shaping this into a loaf form and then putting it in a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. It cooks up perfectly and maintains its shape well. Another great option would be a rimmed baking sheet.
Please note that ground pink can still appear pink when fully cooked. As long as it registers 160 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer it is safe to eat.

Nutrition