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This Italian Meatloaf combines ground beef, Parmesan, and marinara with melty mozzarella. It’s easy to make and bursting with flavor—a family favorite dinner!
Imagine all the classic Italian flavors you love, like garlic, herbs, Parmesan cheese, and rich tomato sauce, but in a single, easy-to-make dish. This Italian Meatloaf is juicy, packed with savory spices, and topped with a deliciously tangy glaze that brings it all together. Served with a side of spaghetti, it’s a simple yet hearty meal that captures the taste of traditional Italian cooking, minus the time-consuming prep.
Delicious By Design
- Using shredded zucchini moistens the meatloaf by adding extra moisture, preventing the meat from drying out during cooking.
- Eggs and breadcrumbs help bind the ingredients, ensuring the meatballs stay firm and cohesive.
- Fresh herbs, garlic, and Parmesan cheese add a rich, deep flavor that enhances the dish.
What You’ll Need
This Italian Meatloaf recipe is full of easy-to-find ingredients, with a couple of simple substitutions if needed:
- 1 cup bread crumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
- ⅓ cup milk or water (plus more if needed for moistening)
- 2 lbs ground beef (80-85% lean for best texture and flavor)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 garlic cloves (minced for a punch of flavor)
- 1 small zucchini (shredded, optional but adds moisture)
- Fresh parsley (a handful, finely chopped)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil (if frying for extra flavor)
- 24 oz tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded)
You can swap the ground beef for a mixture of beef and pork or even use ground turkey for a lighter version. If you’re out of breadcrumbs, crushed crackers or panko make great substitutes.
JUMP TO RECIPEHow To Make Italian Meatloaf
You can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of this post (click the button above), but you can read a summary with step-by-step instructions and photos for each step below.
Step 1: Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture
Soak the breadcrumbs in milk or water for about 5 minutes. This ensures that the meatloaf stays moist and tender. If the breadcrumbs aren’t fully moistened, add more liquid 1 tablespoon at a time. (image 1)
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumb mixture, minced garlic, shredded zucchini (if using), parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mixing by hand works best to evenly distribute the ingredients without overworking the meat, which can make the loaf dense. (image 2)
Step 3: Shape and Prepare for Baking
Form the mixture into a loaf shape (about 9×5 inches) and place it in a greased baking dish.
Pour tomato sauce evenly over the top, reserving a bit for serving later if desired. This adds moisture and infuses the meatloaf with Italian flavor.
Step 4: Bake
Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 400°F oven for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. This ensures that the meat is fully cooked while keeping the meatloaf juicy.
Step 5: Add Mozzarella
Uncover the dish, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and return to the oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes. This step allows the cheese to melt and brown to perfection.(image 5)
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This keeps it moist and allows the flavors to meld. Serve with the remaining marinara sauce.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is easy to adjust to your tastes. Add in some sautéed mushrooms for extra umami, or swap the zucchini for carrots or spinach for added veggies.
You could even mix in a bit of spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat. If you prefer a lighter version, ground turkey or chicken works well too.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the breadcrumb soak! It’s key to a tender texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure you hit that 160°F for perfectly cooked meatloaf.
- If your meatloaf looks dry while baking, add a little more marinara sauce on top to keep it moist.
- Wet your hands before shaping the loaf to prevent the meat mixture from sticking.
Storage & Freezing Instructions ❄
Leftover Italian Meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
The Perfect Pairings
I used my Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce for this recipe, but you can use Marinara Sauce or store-bought if you prefer.
Pair your Italian Meatloaf with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a green salad with creamy Italian Dressing.
Rate This Recipe
Recipe
Italian Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup bread crumbs (about 3.5 oz)
- ⅓ cup milk or water ( – plus more if needed)
- 2 lb ground beef ( 80-85% lean)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 garlic cloves ( minced)
- 1 small zucchini (shredded (optional))
- fresh parsley a good handful (finely chopped)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese fresh grated
- Salt to taste (I use at least a tablespoon of salt)
- olive oil if frying
- freshly ground black pepper about 15 turns of the grinder
- 24 oz tomato sauce (homemade(or a 24oz/680g jar of store-bought.)
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded (about 1 cup))
Instructions
- Mix the milk into the breadcrumbs and stir together. If not completely moistened, mix in more milk 1 tablespoon at a time to moisten the breadcrumbs fully. Let rest while you prep the rest of the ingredients (or at least 5 minutes).
- In a large mixing bowl, add the beef, eggs, breadcrumb mixture, garlic, zucchini, parsley, and Parmesan cheese, and season with about a teaspoon of salt and freshly grated pepper. Using your hands or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix until combined.
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400°F/200°C. Spray broiler-safe 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared dish. With wet hands, shape it into a 9 by 5-inch loaf, Pour the sauce evenly over the meatloaf. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Take the pan out of the oven, uncover the dish, and evenly sprinkle the meatloaf with the cheese. Preheat the broiler on high. Broil the meatloaf until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
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