I recently whipped up a Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf that impressed everyone at home. I combined rich ground beef with Italian style breadcrumbs, eggs, and fragrant garlic and onions. The surprise of ooey, gooey mozzarella and a topping of marinara sauce makes every slice a truly enticing treat.
I’ve always been eager to try new twists on classic recipes, and my latest creation, Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf, definitely lives up to the hype. I started with 2 lbs of ground beef (80/20 is amazing for flavor) and mixed it with a cup of Italian style breadcrumbs, 2 large eggs, a finely chopped small onion and 2 garlic cloves for that extra kick.
I added a splash of whole milk along with salt, half a tsp of black pepper, and a pinch of dried oregano and basil. The best part?
Tiny 1-inch cubes of mozzarella cheese tucked right inside, waiting to melt into gooey perfection as it cooks. I topped the loaf with a cup of marinara sauce to lock in all the savory notes.
Having experimented with similar cheese filled meatloaf variations before, I knew this version was going to be a hit. Give it a try and let your taste buds decide!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because:
1. I love how the cheese melts perfectly making every bite ooey gooey and flavorful.
2. I enjoy that it’s super easy to throw together, and it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
3. I appreciate the blend of herbs and spices that give it a tasty kick without being too overwhelming.
This cheesy meatloaf recipe is all about blending simple ingredients into a delicious meal. First, you heat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking tray. Next, you mix 2 lbs of ground beef with Italian style breadcrumbs, large eggs, a finely chopped small onion, minced garlic, whole milk, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil in a big bowl until everything is well combined. Then, you spread the meat mixture out on parchment paper into a large rectangle that’s about 1/2-inch thick.
After that, you line up 1-inch cubes of mozzarella cheese right down the center of that meat mix. Gently roll the meat over the cheese so that it gets completely wrapped up, and pinch the seams together so the cheese wont leak out. Carefully place the loaf seam side down on your greased tray, and pour a cup of marinara sauce over it so it gets a rich coating.
Bake it in the preheated oven for about 50 to 60 minutes until the meatloaf is cooked through and the cheese inside is all melty and gooey. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes after taking it out of the oven to keep it juicy, then slice it up while its still warm and dig in. Enjoyin this meatloaf is like getting a comforting hug in every bite!
Ingredients
- Ground beef provides high protein and rich flavor with juiciness from its fat content.
- Breadcrumbs add satisfying crunch and bind the loaf with subtle carbohydrates and flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese offers smooth, melty texture with protein and calcium for nourishment.
- Marinara sauce delivers tangy sweetness and acidity that brighten and complement the savory meat.
- Garlic packs a punch with aromatic, bold flavor and potential health benefits.
- Eggs act as a natural binder and boost protein while keeping the loaf moist.
- Chopped onions provide essential fiber and savory depth while softening upon cooking.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend for extra flavor)
- 1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for topping and extra flavor)
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking tray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, Italian style breadcrumbs, eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, whole milk, salt, black pepper, dried oregano and dried basil until it’s all combined.
3. Lay the meat mixture on a sheet of parchment paper and flatten it out into a large rectangle about 1/2-inch thick.
4. Evenly arrange the 1-inch cubes of mozzarella cheese in a straight line down the center of the meat.
5. Gently roll the meat over the cheese so that it is completely encased and pinch the seams together so the cheese wont leak out.
6. Place the loaf onto the greased baking tray seam side down.
7. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the top of your meatloaf so it gets a good coating.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 to 60 minutes until the meatloaf is cooked through and the cheese is nice and melted.
9. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing, this helps keep it juicy.
10. Slice and serve while its warm and enjoy your ooey gooey mozzarella stuffed meatloaf!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven (for preheating to 375°F)
2. Baking tray (to bake the meatloaf; make sure to lightly grease it)
3. Parchment paper (to lay out and roll the meat mixture)
4. Large mixing bowl (for mixing all the ingredients)
5. Measuring cups and spoons (for the milk, marinara sauce, and seasonings)
6. Knife and cutting board (to chop the onion and cut the mozzarella into 1-inch cubes)
7. Spatula (to help mix everything together and spread the meat mixture)
8. Timer (to keep track of the baking time)
9. Oven mitts (to safely remove the hot tray from the oven)
FAQ
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Ground Beef: you can use ground turkey or pork if you’re looking for a leaner option
- Italian style breadcrumbs: try regular breadcrumbs with a pinch of dried basil and oregano mixed in
- Whole Milk: almond milk works too, or even heavy cream if you want a richer taste
- Mozzarella Cheese: provolone or mild cheddar could be cool substitutes if mozzarella isn’t on hand
Pro Tips
1. Be careful not to overmix the meat mixture cuz if you do, it might get too dense and lose a bit of its juiciness.
2. Chill the meat mixture in the fridge for like 20 minutes before rolling it around the cheese; this makes it easier to work with and helps the loaf hold its shape in the oven.
3. Let the meatloaf rest a bit longer than the recipe suggests if you can – even an extra 5 minutes can help the juices settle better, so every slice stays moist.
4. When you’re arranging the cheese, try not to overcrowd it; keeping a neat line in the center makes sure the cheese melts just right without leaking all over the oven tray.
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe
I recently whipped up a Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf that impressed everyone at home. I combined rich ground beef with Italian style breadcrumbs, eggs, and fragrant garlic and onions. The surprise of ooey, gooey mozzarella and a topping of marinara sauce makes every slice a truly enticing treat.
6
servings
350
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven (for preheating to 375°F)
2. Baking tray (to bake the meatloaf; make sure to lightly grease it)
3. Parchment paper (to lay out and roll the meat mixture)
4. Large mixing bowl (for mixing all the ingredients)
5. Measuring cups and spoons (for the milk, marinara sauce, and seasonings)
6. Knife and cutting board (to chop the onion and cut the mozzarella into 1-inch cubes)
7. Spatula (to help mix everything together and spread the meat mixture)
8. Timer (to keep track of the baking time)
9. Oven mitts (to safely remove the hot tray from the oven)
Ingredients
-
2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend for extra flavor)
-
1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
-
2 large eggs
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1/4 cup whole milk
-
1 tsp salt
-
1/2 tsp black pepper
-
1 tsp dried oregano
-
1 tsp dried basil
-
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
-
1 cup marinara sauce (for topping and extra flavor)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking tray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, Italian style breadcrumbs, eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, whole milk, salt, black pepper, dried oregano and dried basil until it's all combined.
- Lay the meat mixture on a sheet of parchment paper and flatten it out into a large rectangle about 1/2-inch thick.
- Evenly arrange the 1-inch cubes of mozzarella cheese in a straight line down the center of the meat.
- Gently roll the meat over the cheese so that it is completely encased and pinch the seams together so the cheese wont leak out.
- Place the loaf onto the greased baking tray seam side down.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the top of your meatloaf so it gets a good coating.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 to 60 minutes until the meatloaf is cooked through and the cheese is nice and melted.
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing, this helps keep it juicy.
- Slice and serve while its warm and enjoy your ooey gooey mozzarella stuffed meatloaf!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 150g
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 10g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Potassium: 300mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Vitamin A: 200IU
- Vitamin C: 3mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 3mg
