Easy Italian Meatloaf
Ingredients:
– 1 lb. ground beef
– 1/2 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (I used orange, but any color works)
– 1 tsp. olive oil
– 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
– 1/2 tsp. dried basil
– 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
– 1 egg, beaten
– 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
– 2 slices white bread, crumbled
– 1 tbsp. milk
– 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 3/4 cup for topping)
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 cup marinara sauce, plus an additional 1/2–3/4 cup for topping
How to Make Easy Italian Meatloaf:
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Sauté Vegetables:** Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chopped onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
3. **Mix Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, sautéed onion and bell pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, parsley, beaten egg, Italian bread crumbs, crumbled white bread, milk, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and all but 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well using your hands until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4. **Shape the Meatloaf:** Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish of your choice. I used an oval stoneware dish, but any baking dish will work. Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 cup of marinara sauce over the top and spread it evenly.
5. **Bake:** Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes.
6. **Add Cheese and Finish Baking:** Remove the meatloaf from the oven, top with the reserved 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with a little dried basil. Return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. **Check Doneness:** Ensure the meatloaf is fully cooked with no pink in the center; baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your loaf (mine was about 2 inches thick).
8. **Serve:** Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve hot with extra marinara sauce if desired.
Enjoy!