Pizza Meatloaf Stuffed With Cheese

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Pizza Meatloaf is a flavorful, cheese-stuffed meatloaf recipe that is made with a combination of Italian sausage, ground beef, and pizza sauce to create an insanely delicious pizza-flavored meatloaf.

Say goodbye to boring meatloaf and say hello to the best meatloaf you have EVER had!

This recipe for Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf is flavored like pizza and was a childhood favorite of mine. My mom made what we as a family referred to as Pizza Meatloaf at least once a month when I was growing up.

And it is easy to see why this pizza meatloaf was on repeat. Made with a combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, pizza sauce, and pizza seasonings, and then stuffed with gooey, melty cheese, this meatloaf is reminiscent of pizza not only in flavor but also in the way even the pickiest eaters devour it and beg for second servings.

And even though it may sound complicated to stuff your meatloaf with cheese, this recipe for Pizza Meatloaf is quite easy to make. Add a side of parsley potatoes and roasted broccoli, and you will have one easy dinner recipe that YOUR family will beg you to make again and again!

Notes on Ingredients

Ingredients for pizza meatloaf labeled on counter.

Ground Beef: I recommend using lean ground beef or ground turkey for this meatloaf.
Italian Sausage: Use store-bought or homemade turkey, pork, or chicken ground Italian sausage. I recommend using mild, not hot Italian sausage so that the spice level won't overwhelm the meatloaf.
Pizza Sauce: If you don't have pizza sauce on hand, feel free to use a good quality jarred spaghetti sauce or homemade spaghetti sauce.
Breadcrumbs: Use unseasoned bread crumbs to help bind the meatloaf together. I prefer the texture of panko breadcrumbs, but traditional breadcrumbs work as well.
Cheese: Shredded Mozzarella is the best cheese to stuff the meatloaf with as it melts really well and the flavor lends itself perfectly to the seasonings in the meatloaf. If you don't have Mozzarella cheese on hand, use sliced provolone cheese or a blend of shredded Italian cheese.

How to Make Pizza Meatloaf

Step One: Combine Ingredients

The order in which you combine the ingredients is KEY in determining how tender and flavorful the resulting meatloaf will be. It is essential to mix the seasonings and binding ingredients together BEFORE adding the meat, so all the flavors are evenly distributed without having to overmix the meat.

In a large bowl, mix together the pizza sauce, seasonings, egg, and bread crumbs until well combined.
Add in the sausage and ground beef and gently mix into the binders to just combine. Do NOT overmix the meat or the meatloaf will be tough and dry after being baked. I often find it is best to use your hands to evenly mix the meatloaf mixture.

Binder ingredients for pizza meatloaf mixed together in glass bowl.

Step Two: Stuff the Meatloaf

On wax or parchment paper, flatten out the meat into a rectangular shape
Sprinkle the cheese over the center of the meat mixture.
Roll the meatloaf into the shape of a loaf, with the cheese in the center of the loaf.
Place the stuffed meatloaf onto a broiler pan. I highly recommend baking your meatloaf on a broiler pan to let the fat drain away as it is rendered while the meatloaf cooks.
Spread pizza sauce on top of the meatloaf and sprinkle with additional cheese.

Step by step photos of how to make cheese stuffed meatloaf

Step Three: Bake

Bake the cheese-stuffed meatloaf until the center reaches 165 degrees F.
Remove it from the oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, as this will ensure it stays nice and tender.

Stuffed meatloaf on baking rack over pan topped with cheese.

Once the meatloaf has rested, slice and serve.

Knife slicing into cheese stuffed meatloaf.

Serving Suggestions

I love to pair this pizza meatloaf with a side of Parsley Potatoes and Green Beans Almondine because that is how I grew up enjoying this meatloaf. However, it also pairs well with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Red Potatoes, or Grits.

Storing Leftover Meatloaf

Leftover meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can wrap the meatloaf in foil and then place it into a freezer-safe bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator, unwrap the meatloaf, and warm through in a 350-degree F oven or microwave individual slices on a heat-safe plate.

Recipe FAQs

Can this meatloaf be made gluten-free?

Yes! I have made a gluten-free version with success many times using gluten-free breadcrumbs or rolled oats in place of regular breadcrumbs. Be sure to check that your sausage is gluten-free as well, or use my recipe for Homemade Italian Sausage.

Do you have to stuff the meatloaf with cheese?

No, but I highly recommend it for the ultimate meatloaf recipe. If you don't want to stuff your meatloaf with cheese, simply shape the meat mixture into a log and bake for 5 minutes LESS than the recipe states.

Is it necessary to use a combination of ground beef and sausage?

Using both ground beef (or turkey or chicken) and ground sausage adds the best flavor to your meatloaf. That said, feel free to omit the sausage and use additional ground beef (or turkey or chicken) in its place.

More Family-Favorite Comfort-Food Recipes

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If you tried this Cheese-Stuffed Pizza Meatloaf, I would love for you to leave a comment below. I love hearing how your family enjoys these recipes!

Pizza Meatloaf

Notes on Ingredients