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Italian Meatloaf Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 120 reviews

This classic Italian Meatloaf blends lean ground beef with a harmonious mix of herbs, spices, and vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese for a flavorful, comforting dish. Baked to perfection and topped with savory pasta sauce and melted cheese, it makes a satisfying main course perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ⅓ cup bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup freshly grated vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese (or plant-based Parmesan alternative)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1¼ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 whole large egg, slightly beaten

Topping

  • 1 cup pasta sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Gather and prep all your ingredients, ensuring everything is measured and chopped to streamline the cooking process.
  2. Mix It All Together: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, fresh basil, parsley, half of the pasta sauce, and the beaten egg. Use your hands to mix evenly without overworking the meat to keep the loaf tender.
  3. Shape the Loaf: Place the meat mixture onto a lined baking sheet and shape it into a loaf approximately 1 inch thick. Slightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking while shaping.
  4. Bake and Top: Bake the shaped loaf in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. After this initial bake, remove it from the oven and spread the remaining pasta sauce evenly over the top. Then, sprinkle the remaining vegetarian Parmesan cheese over the sauce for a delicious finish.
  5. Final Bake: Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Once done, let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow it to hold its shape perfectly.

Notes

  • Using vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese keeps this meatloaf suitable for lacto-vegetarian diets if you substitute beef with plant-based alternatives.
  • Dampening your hands when shaping prevents the meat mixture from sticking and makes a cleaner loaf.
  • Allow the meatloaf to rest after baking to retain juices and ensure neat slices.
  • You can substitute fresh herbs with dried, adjusting quantities accordingly (1 teaspoon dried = 2 tablespoons fresh).
  • Leftover meatloaf makes great sandwiches or can be reheated for quick meals.

Keywords: Italian meatloaf, baked meatloaf recipe, ground beef meatloaf, easy meatloaf, herb meatloaf

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/italian-meatloaf-recipe/