Description
A comforting and flavorful Stuffed Meatloaf with Mozzarella recipe featuring juicy ground beef enveloping a gooey mozzarella center. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish balances savory seasoning with cheesy delight for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean to medium-fat ground beef
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (fresh or shredded)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings & Toppings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup ketchup or tomato sauce (for glaze)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free), finely chopped onion and garlic, eggs, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, smoked paprika, and chopped parsley in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat, which helps keep the meatloaf tender after baking.
- Shape the Base Layer: On a sheet of parchment paper or a clean surface, flatten about two-thirds of the meat mixture into a rectangular shape approximately 9×7 inches. This will be the base of your stuffed meatloaf.
- Add the Mozzarella Filling: Evenly arrange strips or shredded mozzarella cheese across the center of the flattened meat, leaving about a one-inch border around the edges to ensure the cheese stays contained inside during cooking.
- Cover with Remaining Meat: Carefully lift and fold the remaining meat mixture over the cheese layer. Press and pinch the edges to seal the mozzarella completely within, forming a loaf shape.
- Bake and Glaze: Transfer the meatloaf to a baking pan. Spread ketchup or tomato sauce evenly on top to create a tasty glaze. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the cheese inside is molten.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove from oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes. This helps lock in the juices, making each slice moist and flavorful when served.
Notes
- Let ground meat and eggs sit at room temperature briefly for even cooking.
- Mix meat gently to avoid creating a dense loaf.
- Seal the edges carefully to prevent cheese from leaking out during baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated tightly wrapped for up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently in oven at 300°F wrapped in foil or microwave on medium power with frequent checks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6th of loaf)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: stuffed meatloaf, mozzarella meatloaf, cheesy meatloaf, comfort food, family dinner, baked meatloaf