Description
Hearty mozzarella stuffed meatloaf promises a delightful twist on classic comfort cuisine. Savory ground beef embraces molten cheese, creating a mouthwatering centerpiece that will make dinner guests swoon with satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Topping:
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the kitchen oven to 375°F, preparing a loaf pan with a light coating of cooking spray or parchment paper.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, whisking in eggs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, aromatic Italian seasoning, warm paprika, creamy milk, and balanced salt and pepper until ingredients form a uniform mixture.
- Carefully partition the meat mixture, gently pressing one half into the prepared loaf pan, crafting a central cavity for the cheese filling.
- Generously nestle shredded mozzarella cheese into the meat’s core, ensuring an even distribution without piercing the base layer.
- Delicately drape the remaining meat mixture over the cheese, meticulously sealing the edges to create a complete cheese-encased loaf.
- Artfully brush a vibrant layer of ketchup across the meatloaf’s surface, providing a tangy glaze.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until the internal temperature precisely reaches 160°F, indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and stabilize before slicing into rich, cheesy portions.
Notes
- Prep meat mixture gently to keep meatloaf tender and prevent dense texture.
- Use lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to balance flavor and reduce excess grease during baking.
- For gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Experiment with cheese variations like cheddar or pepper jack for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 367
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg