Italian Meatloaf

Meatloaf is sometimes seen as an old school meal, maybe even one of those we all turned our noses up to, but this Italian Meatloaf recipe is like a giant meatball. Full of flavors and kept so moist with rich marinara sauce, you can’t go wrong!

sliced italian meatloaf with text overlay for facebook


 

It uses a blend of Italian sausage and ground beef with spices and cheese for a tender one dish meal. Think of an Italian version of a traditional meatloaf recipe.

I’ve got quite a few meatloaf recipes on the site. And that’s because I finally figured out how to make it! Forget the crusty slices you were served in the school cafeteria; this Italian Meatloaf takes it to a whole new level.

It’s a great recipe to make when you’re craving Italian food, but aren’t in the mood for pasta. It has all the flavors of your favorite Italian recipes all wrapped up into one loaf.

overhead shot of meatloaf

Ingredients

  • Bread – I like to use either white or Italian bread for this recipe. Make sure the crusts are removed and the bread is cut into cubes. This acts like a binding agent for the meatloaf.
  • White onion – If you aren’t a fan of onion, you can leave this out altogether. However it does provide both flavor and substance to this loaf.
  • Garlic – Always opt to use fresh garlic whenever possible. Although convenient, the jarred version is way less pungent.
  • Fresh herbs – We use fresh fresh parsley and oregano in our version. Fresh always packs more of a punch, but if you need to save a little time chopping, feel free to use a dry Italian seasoning blend.
  • Salt – I use coarse kosher salt. Different salt measure differently, so be sure to plan accordingly.
  • Lean ground beef – I always like to use lean ground meat when making meatloaf.
  • Bulk Italian sausage – The combination of ground beef and ground pork makes for a very flavorful and tender meatloaf.
  • Worcestershire sauce – You might be thinking: but that’s not Italian? Well, neither is meatloaf, but it does give a full bodied and rich flavor to just about any recipe.
  • Egg – Egg acts as a binding agent for meatloaf. It helps to hold everything together.
  • Bread crumbs – I like to use Italian bread crumbs rather than something like panko for this recipe. It brings even more Italian flavor to this meatloaf.
  • Cheese – We use three cheese to make the best cheesy blend with layers of flavor. We use Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and fontina cheese. I always try to freshly grate my own cheese whenever possible.
  • Marinara – Some recipes use plain tomato sauce, but marinara gives a hearty does of Italian flavors with more texture. Customize this recipe using your favorite version. It can be sweet, spicy (like a fra diavolo or aribaritta) or even just plain like basil.
straight on shot of italian meatloaf

How to Make Italian Meatloaf

  1. Prepare oven and pan. Preheat the oven and prepare a loaf pan or meatloaf pan with cooking spray or parchment paper.
  2. Toss bread with milk. In a small bowl, toss the cubed bread with the milk. Set aside for 3-4 minutes to absorb. Milk should be pretty well soaked up.
  3. Combine with seasonings. In a large bowl, or the base of a stand mixer, combine milk-soaked bread, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano and salt. Mix to combine into a paste.
  4. Add meat. Add the ground beef and sausage, breaking into small pieces.
  5. Combine with remaining ingredients. Before mixing, top with Worcestershire sauce, lightly beaten egg, dry bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella and marinara sauce.
  6. Mix. Blend until just mixed, either using your fingers to toss or putting the stand mixer on low. Too much mixing will make your meatloaf tough, so only mix until barely blended.
  7. Add to pan. Transfer meat mixture to baking dish of your choice, forming into a loaf as you go. You can make it free-form on a rimmed baking sheet, but I prefer using a meatloaf or bread loaf pan. Top with 1/2 cup marinara sauce.
  8. Bake, add cheese. Bake uncovered. Remove and add remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and another shake of Italian seasoning (if desired) to the top of the meatloaf.
  9. Bake again. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Allow to sit before cutting and serving. Serve with additional marinara sauce, if desired.
overhead shot of meatloaf topped with cheese

Variations

I love this flavorful meatloaf just the way it is, but there are several ways that you could make it your own.

  • Make it spicy – If you like your food on the spicier side, you can throw in some black pepper or red pepper flakes into the meatloaf mixture. You could also use this spicy marinara sauce.
  • Sandwiches – Have leftovers? A great way to use them up is to put a slice between two pieces of sandwich bread and turn it into a sandwich.
  • Mix up the meat – You don’t have to use ground beef with this meatloaf. You could use ground turkey or ground chicken in its place. Just be sure to use an instant read thermometer to make sure the center of loaf has a safe internal temperature.
  • Meatballs – You could use this same meat mixture and turn them into Italian meatballs instead of a meatloaf recipe. Follow my tips and tricks to better meatballs.
meatloaf on a plate with potatoes and green beans

What to Serve Italian Meatloaf With

There are any number of things you can serve with this Italian meatloaf, but there are a few of our favorites:

overhead shot of slice of italian meatloaf

Storage, Make Ahead and Freezing

Storage: If you’ve got leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days. We like to scrape the meatloaf sauce from the bottom of the baking dish and store that with the meatloaf, as well, since it offers a ton of flavor.

Make ahead: If you want to make this Italian Meatloaf easier, mix and form it the morning of OR the night before. Once shaped, place the meatloaf on the prepared baking dish and wrap tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

Freezing: You can also freeze your leftovers. Make sure to wrap tightly with plastic wrap and put in a freezer safe container. It will stay for up to three months.

collage of italian meatloaf for pinterest

More Meatloaf Recipes

overhead slices of italian meatloaf

Best Chicken Meatloaf Recipe

Italian Chicken Meatloaf is the best kind of comfort food! A twist on a classic, it’s ready in 1 hour- perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
See The Recipe!
A close up of food on a plate, with Meatloaf and Onion

French Onion Meatloaf with Onion Gravy

French Onion Meatloaf uses a blend of spices with caramelized onions and a savory onion gravy. The ultimate comfort meal.
See The Recipe!
close up overhead shot of slice of stuffed meatloaf

Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe

Stuffed Meatloaf is a tender meat mix stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese and topped with a zesty and sweet sauce. The perfect comfort meal! 
See The Recipe!
sliced italian meatloaf with text overlay for pinterest
overhead shot of sliced italian meatloaf

Italian Meatloaf

4.50 from 69 votes
Italian Meatloaf blends Italian sausage and ground beef with spices and cheese for a tender one dish meal. The perfect family meal!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a loaf pan or meatloaf pan with cooking spray or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a small mixing bowl, toss the cubed bread with the milk. Set aside for 3-4 minutes to absorb. Milk should be pretty well soaked up.
  • In a large mixing bowl, or the base of a stand mixer, combine soaked bread, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano and salt. Mix to combine into a paste.
  • Add the ground beef and sausage, breaking into small pieces.
  • Before mixing, top with Worcestershire sauce, lightly beaten egg, dry bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup marinara sauce.
  • Blend until just mixed, either using your fingers to toss or putting the stand mixer on low. Too much mixing will make your meatloaf tough, so only mix until barely blended.
  • Transfer meat mixture to cooking vessel of your choice, forming into a loaf as you go. You can make it free-form on a rimmed baking sheet, but I prefer using a meatloaf or bread loaf pan. Top with 1/2 cup marinara sauce.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Remove and top with remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and another shake of Italian seasoning (if desired).
  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. Serve with additional marinara sauce, if desired.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 488 kcal, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 28 g, Fat: 32 g, Saturated Fat: 13 g, Cholesterol: 126 mg, Sodium: 1485 mg, Potassium: 530 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 385 IU, Vitamin C: 6.4 mg, Calcium: 225 mg, Iron: 3.5 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 488
Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: italian meatloaf
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

 

Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.50 from 69 votes (64 ratings without comment)

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Made this last night, it was sooooooo delicious! I made enough to make two and froze the second one. Everyone LOVED it!!

    1. Hi Jessica! I usually serve it with a leafy green salad and garlic bread. Kind of like a big meatball. But you can do traditional mashed potatoes or even a side of noodles.

  2. 5 stars
    My husband does not like Meatloaf, I made this and he loved it. The sausage puts a great twi st to it. I’m making it again tonight 😋😋

  3. 5 stars
    How lovely to include sausage in your mix for an extra hit of flavour. Simply delicious, thanks for this great recipe.

  4. 5 stars
    I love your unique spin, adding marinara sauce, to the traditional recipe. Meatloaf is definitely a family favorite, and a wonderful comfort food during these crazy times!