Stuffed Meatloaf Extravaganza
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History of Stuffed Meatloaf:
Meat Loaf:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Olive Oil
- 2 cups (480 ml) finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh bread crumbs*
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) Milk
- 1 pound (450g) 80% lean ground beef
- 1 pound (450g) mild bulk Italian Sausage
- 2 (10 oz. / 280g) packages frozen, chopped spinach
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (240 ml) grated Romano Cheese
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped, fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon (4 ml) salt
- 8 oz. (225g) provolone cheese, cut into 3×1/2″ strips
Stuffed Meatloaf Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped celery
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz. / 410g) can Italian seasoned, diced tomatoes
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chopped, fresh rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper
How to Make Stuffed Meatloaf
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a medium pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until hot. Sauté the chopped onions for about 4 minutes or until they turn soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and allow it to cool.
- Prepare the Bread Crumbs: In a small bowl, combine the fresh bread crumbs and milk. Let them stand for 15 minutes. Squeeze out and discard any excess milk from the soaked bread.
- Mix the Meatloaf: Add the soaked bread and all the remaining meatloaf ingredients (except the provolone cheese) to the bowl with the onion and garlic mixture. Gently combine everything until well blended.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Form half of the meat mixture into a 4.5-inch rectangle on a large rimmed baking sheet. Now, arrange the provolone cheese strips lengthwise down the center of the meat, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges. Cover with the remaining meat mixture, ensuring that the edges are well-sealed. Use your hands to plump up the loaf.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71°C).
- Rest and Slice: Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing into generous portions.
Stuffed Meatloaf Sauce Directions:
- Sauté the Veggies: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the chopped carrots, celery, shallots, and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Cover and cook for 6-10 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in the Italian seasoned, diced tomatoes and water. Reduce the heat to low, then simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Season and Blend: Add 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor, adjusting the consistency with extra water if it’s too thick.
- Serve Warm: Pour this luscious sauce over your sliced meatloaf, and enjoy the burst of flavors.
Expert Tips:
- For an extra kick, try using spicy Italian sausage instead of mild.
- Make sure to seal the edges of the meatloaf well to keep the cheesy surprise inside.
- If you’re short on time, use store-bought breadcrumbs instead of making fresh ones.
Storage and Leftovers:
Store any leftover meatloaf and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Reheat slices of meatloaf in the oven at 350 degrees F (175°C) until heated through. Warm the sauce on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
FAQs for Stuffed Meatloaf:
Q1: Can I use other types of cheese in the stuffing? A1: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite cheeses to customize the stuffing to your taste.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time? A2: Yes, you can assemble the stuffed meatloaf ahead of time and refrigerate it, then bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Q3: What can I serve with stuffed meatloaf? A3: It pairs well with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
Known Alternate Names for the Recipe:
- Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf
- Meatloaf Surprise
- Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
#Recipe: Stuffed Meat Loaf
This stuffed meatloaf recipe is not your ordinary meatloaf! It is jam-packed with deliciousness--cheese and spinach and topped with marinara!
Ingredients
Meat Loaf:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Olive Oil
- 2 cups (480 ml) finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh bread crumbs*
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) Milk
- 1 pound (450g) 80% lean ground beef
- 1 pound (450g) mild bulk Italian Sausage
- 2 (10 oz. / 280g) packages frozen, chopped spinach
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (240 ml) grated Romano Cheese
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped, fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon (4 ml) salt
- 8 oz. (225g) provolone cheese, cut into 3x1/2" strips
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped celery
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz. / 410g) can Italian seasoned, diced tomatoes
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chopped, fresh rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a medium pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until hot. Sauté the chopped onions for about 4 minutes or until they turn soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and allow it to cool.
- Prepare the Bread Crumbs: In a small bowl, combine the fresh bread crumbs and milk. Let them stand for 15 minutes. Squeeze out and discard any excess milk from the soaked bread.
- Mix the Meatloaf: Add the soaked bread and all the remaining meatloaf ingredients (except the provolone cheese) to the bowl with the onion and garlic mixture. Gently combine everything until well blended.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Form half of the meat mixture into a 4.5-inch rectangle on a large rimmed baking sheet. Now, arrange the provolone cheese strips lengthwise down the center of the meat, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges. Cover with the remaining meat mixture, ensuring that the edges are well-sealed. Use your hands to plump up the loaf.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71°C).
- Rest and Slice: Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing into generous portions.
Stuffed Meatloaf Sauce Directions:
- Sauté the Veggies: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the chopped carrots, celery, shallots, and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Cover and cook for 6-10 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in the Italian seasoned, diced tomatoes and water. Reduce the heat to low, then simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Season and Blend: Add 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor, adjusting the consistency with extra water if it's too thick.
- Serve Warm: Pour this luscious sauce over your sliced meatloaf, and enjoy the burst of flavors.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 895Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 214mgSodium: 1777mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 4gSugar: 9gProtein: 57g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate.