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    Home » Real Food » Main Courses » Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

    Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

    By Kristen Chidsey | 59 Comments | Published November 2, 2020 | Updated November 2, 2020 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Say good-bye to boring, flavorless meatloaf and make Pizza Meatloaf instead. Made with pizza seasonings and stuffed with cheese, this recipe for Meatloaf is filled with incredible flavor and simply the best meatloaf you will ever eat!

    Say good-bye to boring, flavorless meatloaf and make Pizza Meatloaf instead. Made with pizza seasonings and stuffed with cheese, this recipe for Meatloaf is filled with incredible flavor and simply the best meatloaf you will ever eat!

    Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf is an easy recipe that will delight even the pickiest of eaters. Serve with a side of Parsley Potatoes and Steamed Green Beans, for a simple, hearty family meal.
    Sliced Pizza Loaf on brown plate
    My mom's recipe for meatloaf is the BEST recipe for Meatloaf.

    Made with a combination of Italian sausage, pizza sauce, Italian seasonings, and lots of cheese, this Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf is reminiscent of pizza not only in flavor but in the way even the pickiest eaters devour it and beg for second servings.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Meat: I suggest using a combination of lean ground beef with ground Italian Sausage. Feel free to use ground turkey in place of the beef and/or turkey or chicken 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.
    • Bread Crumbs: 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 cheeses.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    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 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 (about 6 by 10 inches.)
    • In the center of the meat mixture, cover with cheese.
    • Roll the meatloaf into the shape of a loaf, with the cheese being in the center of the loaf.
    • Place the stuffed meatloaf onto a broiler pan.
    • 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 meatloaf for 1 hour, or until the center reaches 165 degrees.
    • Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven before slicing and serving.

    Knife slicing into cheese stuffed meatloaf.

    Recipe Tips and FAQs

    • 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 for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and warm through in a 350-degree oven or microwave.
    • I highly recommend baking your meatloaf on a broiler pan to let the fat drain away as it is rendered while the meatloaf cooks.
    Can you make this Meatloaf Gluten-Free?

    For gluten-free meatloaf, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats in place of the regular breadcrumbs.

    Do you have to use Sausage?

    Instead of using a combination of ground meat and sausage, use 1.5 pounds of ground meat and add in an additional teaspoon each of garlic, red pepper flakes, and onion powder, to account for the flavor lost from the Italian sausage.

    More Family Favorite Dinner Recipes

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

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

    Sliced Meatloaf stuffed with cheese on top of plate.

    Stuffed Meatloaf

    This Stuffed Meatloaf is made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and pizza seasonings and stuffed with cheese for the BEST Meatloaf recipe.
    4.75 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 253kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • ½ pound Italian sausage
    • 1 cup pizza sauce divided
    • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
    • 2 eggs whisked
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • 8 ounces 1 cup shredded or sliced Mozzarella or Provolone cheese, divided
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    • Mix together eggs, bread crumbs, salt, oregano, parsley, parmesan, and ⅓ cup pizza sauce together until well combined.
    • Add in ground beef and sausage and gently combine, being careful to not overmix your meatloaf mixture.
    • Flatten and top with ⅔ cup mozzarella or provolone cheese.
    • Roll meat around cheese and shape into a loaf.
    • Place meat on broiler pan or loaf pan and top with remaining sauce and cheese.
    • Bake for 1 hour, or until the center reaches 165 degrees.
    • Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then slice and serve.

    Equipment Needed

    • Roasting Pan with Rack

    Notes

    For gluten-free meatloaf, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats in place of the regular breadcrumbs.
    For the meat: Use any type of ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) and any type of Italian sausage (pork, chicken, or turkey). Instead of using a combination of ground meat and sausage, use 1.5 pounds of ground meat and add in an additional teaspoon each of garlic, red pepper flakes, and onion powder, to account for the flavor lost from the Italian sausage.
    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 for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and warm through in a 350-degree oven or microwave.
    I highly recommend baking your meatloaf on a broiler pan or roasting pan with a rack to let the fat drain away as it is rendered while the meatloaf cooks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 178mg | Sodium: 956mg | Potassium: 539mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 15.2mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 6.9mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. james washington

      May 11, 2021 at 11:20 pm

      5 stars
      I made this and it was amazing. No complaints.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 12, 2021 at 6:50 am

        Thanks for sharing James! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Andrea

      November 25, 2020 at 8:22 pm

      So how did all of you make this and put the cheese on top and bake it for an hour without the cheese burning?!?!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 26, 2020 at 7:55 am

        Hi Andrea! If your oven holds the correct temperature, the cheese should not burn at all. If you notice it browning, feel free to tent with foil. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    3. Beth

      November 05, 2020 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      What an easy and tasty twist on the classic meatloaf! Delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 06, 2020 at 10:20 am

        So glad your family enjoys this recipe Beth!

        Reply
      • Lynda Brown

        November 18, 2020 at 8:03 pm

        Yummy,, this was super easy and very tasty. Even for picky kiddos. Thank you- this is one for the rotation!

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          November 19, 2020 at 6:50 am

          So glad you enjoyed Lynda!

          Reply
    4. Nellie Tracy

      November 05, 2020 at 10:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is a delicious meatloaf recipe! My family loves it for weeknight dinners

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 06, 2020 at 10:20 am

        My family does too! I love hearing you enjoy it as well.

        Reply
    5. Erika

      November 03, 2020 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night, with a couple of tweaks, and it was fantastic! I added diced onions and doubled the recipe because I have a 17 year old who can eat half his weight in food! It was full of flavor and perfectly seasoned. You're one of my go to food bloggers for good reason!!

      Reply
      • Erika

        November 03, 2020 at 11:36 am

        I forgot to add that I spread out half the meat, topped it with cheese and spread the remaining meat on top. Since I made so much, there was going to be no loafing! 🤣

        Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 03, 2020 at 1:30 pm

        Thanks so much Erika! I love hearing how much your family enjoys my recipes. And great idea adding diced onions.

        Reply
    6. Merry

      November 02, 2020 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      I CAN HARDLY WAIT to make this meatloaf! I am low-carb to control my diabetes so I wanted to share something I’ve learned recently! Another blogger used plain pork skins/rinds for a replacement for bread crumbs as there is still that necessary binding but no carbs or gluten, etc! Just had to share 🤗

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 02, 2020 at 4:24 pm

        Oh that is a great tip for keto meatloaf! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    7. Chris

      March 19, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent! Easy recipe smells so good baking, rolled meatloaf using parchment paper no seems no leaking of cheese!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 20, 2020 at 9:20 am

        Great tip using parchment paper to roll meatloaf. Glad you enjoyed Chris 🙂

        Reply
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