Meat Loaf Italiano

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I stole this recipe for Meat Loaf Italiano from the National Enquire November 17, 1987 issue. To make this stuffed Italian meatloaf, start with a ground beef mixture. Onions, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and spices are added to ground beef. After mixing, the beef is shaped into a flat rectangle on waxed paper. Cheese is sprinkled over the beef, and then the beef is rolled up. The beef roll is baked for an hour, and then tomato sauce is spread on top and baked an additional 10 minutes. When you cut the meatloaf the cheese center is seen. This recipe is a twist on traditional meatloaf and soon to be your “famous” meatloaf.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine 1 egg, ½ cup cracker crumbs, ½ cup minced onion, ⅓ cup of the tomato sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp basil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp salt and ⅛ tsp pepper in a large bowl.

Mix well and add 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef.

Mix thoroughly with hands and shape into flat rectangle about 10 by 12 inches on waxed paper. Sprinkle remaining 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over meat.

Roll up like a jelly roll.

Press ends together to seal. Place in shallow baking dish.

Bake 1 hour. Drain off fat.

Pour on remaining 1 ⅔ cups tomato sauce and bake 15 minutes.

Let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing. Meat Loaf Italiano is a great Sunday supper option (look at that cheese).

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Meat Loaf Italiano

To make this stuffed Italian meatloaf, start with a ground beef mixture. Onions, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and spices are added to ground beef. After mixing, the beef is shaped into a flat rectangle on waxed paper. Cheese is sprinkled over the beef, and then the beef is rolled up. The beef roll is baked for an hour, and then tomato sauce is spread on top and baked an additional 10 minutes. When you cut the meatloaf the cheese center is seen.
Course Entree
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Meatloaf
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 egg beaten
  • ½ cup cracker crumbs or dry bread crumbs
  • ½ cup minced onion
  • 2 (8 oz) cans Italian tomato sauce
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ tsp basil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ⅛ tsp pepper
  • 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine egg, cracker crumbs, onion, ⅓ cup of the tomato sauce, 1 cup cheese, oregano, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well and add meat. Mix thoroughly with hands and shape into flat rectangle about 10 by 12 inches on waxed paper. Sprinkle remaining 2 cups cheese over meat. Roll up like a jelly roll and press ends together to seal. Place on rack in shallow baking dish. Bake 1 hour. Drain off fat. Pour on remaining tomato sauce and bake 15 minutes. Let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Recipe Notes

I use spaghetti sauce instead of plain tomato sauce.