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Italian Herb Parmesan Meatloaf

Italian Herb Parmesan Meatloaf - featured image

This Italian Herb Parmesan Meatloaf is a moist, flavorful twist on the classic, featuring savory herbs and rich Parmesan cheese for a golden, cheesy crust. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 for best flavor and moisture)
  • 1/2 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning blend (dried mix of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus 1/4 cup for topping)
  • 1 cup bread crumbs, plain or Italian-style
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (for topping)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the parsley. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 2-3 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk.
  4. In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs and stir in Worcestershire sauce.
  5. In a large bowl, add ground beef, Italian sausage, soaked breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, 1 cup grated Parmesan, 2 tbsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Transfer the mixture into the greased loaf pan. Gently press to shape and smooth the top without compacting too much.
  7. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning over the top. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  8. Bake on the middle rack for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 40 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
  10. Slice with a serrated knife and serve warm.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. For a low-carb/keto version, substitute almond flour or ground pork rinds for breadcrumbs. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing for best results. Leftovers are great for sandwiches. Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for a crispier top, but watch closely to avoid burning the Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, Italian meatloaf, Parmesan meatloaf, easy dinner, family meal, comfort food, savory, Italian herbs, homemade meatloaf, cheesy meatloaf