An easy Italian meatloaf recipe packed with Parmesan, herbs, and marinara sauce. Moist, cheesy, and full of bold Italian flavor—perfect for weeknight dinners.
1½ lbs ground beef (or 1 lb beef + ½ lb pork)
¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
¼ cup milk
2 large eggs
1 small onion, diced
2–3 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 cup marinara sauce (plus ½ cup extra for serving)
1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional filling or topping)
1 tbsp olive oil
Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Let cool.
In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit 2–3 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumb mixture, eggs, cooked aromatics, Parmesan, seasonings, and herbs.
Mix gently. Shape into a loaf on parchment-lined baking sheet.
Optional: Add mozzarella in the center before shaping loaf.
Spoon marinara over top.
Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until internal temp is 160°F.
Optional: Add mozzarella on top in last 10 minutes.
Let rest 10 minutes. Slice and serve with extra sauce.
Swap meat for turkey or veggie meat for variation.
Add spinach or mushrooms to boost nutrition.
Freeze cooked or uncooked for up to 3 months.