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Italian Meatloaf is a traditional meatloaf recipe with Italian flavors like marinara pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning. Classic comfort food that the entire family will love!
Want more delicious meatloaf recipes? Try this Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf, Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf, or copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf.
Delicious Italian Meatloaf Recipe
This Italian meatloaf is a flavorful meatloaf, like a classic meatloaf with all the delicious flavors of Italian cuisine – marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese.
Simple to make with one mixing bowl and then it’s baked inside a large loaf pan. My family loves this Italian meatloaf with some white pasta on the side and a big green Italian salad.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef : Use a combination of ground beef like lean ground beef + a higher fat ground beef chuck. You could also use 1 pound ground turkey + 1 pound ground beef to lighten it up a bit; although the final taste might be slightly different if using lean ground turkey. I generally like to use a really lean ground beef (96/4) plus a 90/10 ground chunk when I make this tender meatloaf recipe.
- Large Eggs : These act as the binder in the meatloaf mixture, holding the meatloaf together.
- Ketchup : Adds a touch of sweetness and moisture.
- Italian Bread Crumbs : Breadcrumbs help hold everything together and adds a nice Italian flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese : I make it really simple and use the cheaper, shelf-stable parmesan cheese. I think it tastes the best and adds the best flavor to the meatloaf.
- Italian Seasoning : A mix of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme enhances the Italian profile.
- Garlic Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Marinara Sauce : Use your favorite pasta sauce here! Any flavor will work such as traditional, cheese, tomato & basil, roasted garlic, etc.
- Mozzarella Cheese : Melts on top of the meatloaf to create a gooey mozzarella cheese finish.
How To Make Italian-Style Meatloaf Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
Crumble the ground beef into a large bowl, and add the eggs, ketchup, Italian breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined, but do not overwork (or mix aggressively) the meatloaf mixture.
Press the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan and even out the top.
Bake for 45 minutes. After the bake time, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the marinara sauce over top, and then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce.
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 165 degrees F.
Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if wanted, and serve.
How To Store Leftover Italian Meatloaf
- Fridge : To store leftovers, let the meatloaf cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also remove individual slices of the meatloaf to an airtight container, on a plate, or cover the loaf pan with foil or a lid for storage. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer : To freeze the cooked meatloaf, let it cool completely, and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil, and place it inside a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat; thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through to 165 degrees F.
Italian Meatloaf FAQ’s
Can I Prepare The Meatloaf Ahead of Time?
Prepare the meatloaf mixture up to a day (24 hours) in advance, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. This allows the flavors to meld together even more!
Is It Gluten-Free?
If you’re wanting a gluten-free meatloaf then you’ll need to make sure you are using gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs in the recipe.
What Are Some Serving Suggestions?
I like to pair Italian meatloaf with a green salad loaded with fresh veggies and my Homemade Ranch Dressing. Other great options are to serve it alongside some Parmesan Garlic Pasta, Rice Pilaf, or try some Parmesan Roasted Potatoes. Or serve it alongside your favorite sides such as green beans, corn, or some crusty Italian bread.
Can I Make It Spicy?
Yes! If you want some spice try adding red pepper flakes in with the other dried seasonings. Use a spicy ketchup or a spicy marinara sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Use An Instant-Read Thermometer : It’s important to make sure that the meatloaf reaches the safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F before serving. This is also how you can accurately tell if the meatloaf has cooked all the way through. Stick a meat thermometer into the center of the meatloaf and make sure it reaches the correct temperature before removing it from the oven.
- Remaining Marinara Sauce : Since you are only using 1 cup of the marinara sauce, save the leftovers for serving, you can drizzle some additional marinara sauce over the meatloaf slices for serving.
- Don’t Overmix : To avoid a tough meatloaf, make sure you are mixing the meat mixture gently! I think it’s easiest to use clean hands to mix it all together, but you can also use a wooden mixing spoon or spatula.
- Crumble The Ground Meat : It’s important to use clean hands to crumble the ground beef in the large mixing bowl first, before adding the other ingredients. This way, the ground meat is easier to mix into the other ingredients without overmixing it all.
- Ground Meat : For a different flavor profile try using ground Italian sausage, ground pork, or for a lighter version use ground turkey or lean ground beef. You can also do a combination of two different kinds of ground meat if wanted.
More Italian Food Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Baked Ziti
- Homemade Italian Meatballs
- Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce
- Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
- Crockpot Meatball Marinara
- White Lasagna
Italian Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- 1¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Crumble the ground beef into a large bowl, and add the eggs, Italian bread crumbs, ketchup, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined, but do not overwork (or mix aggressively) the meatloaf mixture.2 pounds ground beef, 3 large eggs, 1¼ cup Italian bread crumbs, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Press the meat mixture evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45 minutes. After the bake time, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the marinara sauce over top, and then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce.1 cup marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 165 degrees F.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if wanted, and serve.chopped fresh Italian parsley
Notes
- Remaining Marinara Sauce : Since you are only using 1 cup of the marinara sauce, save the leftovers for serving, you can drizzle some additional marinara sauce over the meatloaf slices for serving.
- Don’t Overmix : To avoid a tough meatloaf, make sure you are mixing the meat mixture gently! I think it’s easiest to use clean hands to mix it all together, but you can also use a wooden mixing spoon or spatula.
- Crumble The Ground Meat : It’s important to use clean hands to crumble the ground beef in the large mixing bowl first, before adding the other ingredients. This way, the ground meat is easier to mix into the other ingredients without overmixing it all.
- Ground Meat : For a different flavor profile try using ground Italian sausage, ground pork, or for a lighter version use ground turkey or lean ground beef. You can also do a combination of two different kinds of ground meat if wanted. I like to use a lean ground beef (96/4) plus a higher fat 90/10 ground sirloin.
Nutrition
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