Mozzarella-Stuffed Italian Meatloaves
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Description:
This delightful recipe for Mozzarella-Stuffed Italian Meatloaves is a cherished favorite in our family, originally sourced from a Land O’Lakes cookbook. Its simplicity and delicious flavor make it a perfect weeknight dinner or a cozy family meal. While the dish relies on basic ingredients and minimal seasoning, feel free to customize it to suit your personal taste. The gooey mozzarella filling adds a rich and comforting touch, and despite the straightforward preparation, it offers a burst of flavor with every bite. 🍽️
Ingredients:
- 3/4 pound ground beef
- 3/4 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (cut into cubes)
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that it will be ready for your meatloaves as soon as you finish preparing them.
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Prepare Meat Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, bread crumbs, marinara sauce, ground black pepper, and egg. Mix until well combined. The egg acts as a binder, helping to keep the meatloaves together.
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Cut Cheese: While your oven is heating, cut the mozzarella cheese into cubes. You can opt for either 6 large cubes or 18 small cubes, depending on your preference and how much cheese you want in each meatloaf.
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Form Meatloaves: Divide the meat mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each portion into a loaf.
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Stuff with Cheese: Insert one large cheese cube or three small cheese cubes into the center of each meatloaf. If needed, reshape the meat around the cheese to ensure it is well enclosed.
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Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the prepared meatloaves on an ungreased baking sheet.
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Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 45 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your meatloaves. They are done when they are no longer pink in the middle.
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Serve: Once baked, let the meatloaves rest for a few minutes before serving. Don’t be concerned if some of the cheese escapes during baking—this is perfectly normal and adds a delightful touch. Serve with additional marinara sauce if desired for an extra layer of flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 425.8
- Fat: 29.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 11.1 g
- Cholesterol: 117.5 mg
- Sodium: 1099.1 mg
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Sugar: 3.1 g
- Protein: 27.4 g
Enjoy this comforting and satisfying dish that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. The mozzarella-stuffed meatloaves not only taste fantastic but are also packed with protein, making them a hearty choice for any meal. Bon appétit! 🍴
