Pizza Meatloaf

Say goodbye to boring, flavorless meatloaf and make this recipe for Pizza Meatloaf instead! Made with a combination of Italian sausage, ground beef, pizza sauce, Italian seasonings, and then stuffed with cheese, this Pizza Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf is anything but boring.

My mom made the best meatloaf. It was not a classic style meatloaf, but instead, she made Pizza Meatloaf that was stuffed with cheese and flavored like pizza. And it is insanely delicious!

Made with a combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, pizza sauce, and Italian seasonings, and stuffed with 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. My mom's cheese-stuffed meatloaf is the ONLY recipe for meatloaf you need!

Notes on Ingredients & Substitutions

• Ground Beef: I recommend using a lean ground beef or ground turkey for this meatloaf.
• Italian Sausage: Use ground, raw mild Italian sausage. You don't want to use hot Italian sausage, or the spice level could overwhelm the meatloaf. Feel free to use turkey or chicken Italian sausage in place of the pork sausage.
• 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.

Gluten-Free Modification: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or rolled oats in place of regular breadcrumbs and check to be sure your sausage is gluten-free as well.

How to Make Stuffed 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.

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 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.

• Once the meatloaf has rested, slice and serve.

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.

Storage Instructions

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.

More Favorite Dinner Recipes

• Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Noodles
• Chicken Pot Pie
• Vegetable Beef Soup
• Cheesy Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

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