Italian Meatloaf Recipe 🍽️
Description:
This Italian Meatloaf recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the very first dish I ever attempted from a cookbook during my Junior High School days, over a decade ago! The recipe was discovered in the delightful pages of “Cooking With Kids” and has since become a cherished classic in my culinary repertoire.
Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
Quantity | Ingredient |
---|---|
2 | lean ground beef |
1 | onion |
1 | green bell pepper |
3 tbsp | butter |
1/2 tsp | oregano |
2 tbsp | Worcestershire sauce |
8 oz | elbow macaroni |
1 | tomatoes |
1/2 cup | parmesan cheese |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 553.4
- Fat: 24.2g
- Saturated Fat: 11.5g
- Cholesterol: 120.9mg
- Sodium: 607.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 42.3g
- Fiber: 2.7g
- Sugar: 7.4g
- Protein: 40.1g
Keywords: Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours, Easy
Category: Meat
Instructions:
-
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel and finely chop the onion and green bell pepper.
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Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, and sauté until they are tender and aromatic.
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Brown the Beef: To the skillet, add the lean ground beef. Sauté until the beef is browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
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Season to Perfection: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the flavors meld together as the mixture simmers gently.
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Cook Macaroni: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
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Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooked macaroni to a medium-sized casserole dish. Add the prepared ground beef mixture, chopped tomatoes, and mix everything together until well combined.
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Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to cook through.
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Add Cheese and Bake Again: Remove the foil, sprinkle the top of the meatloaf with parmesan cheese, and return it to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once baked to perfection, remove the Italian Meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Slice and serve hot, accompanied by your favorite sides or a fresh salad.
This Italian Meatloaf recipe is not only delicious and comforting but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving a hearty, homemade meal. Bon appétit! 🇮🇹🍽️