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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Beef

    Easy Italian Meatloaf

    Published: May 11, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 20 Comments

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    pinterest image for Italian Meatloaf
    pinterest image for Italian Meatloaf

    Italian Meatloaf is like making one giant meatball! It has all the similar flavors of your favorite Italian beef meatball, but is made like a traditional meatloaf recipe.

    Italian Meatloaf in a baking dish topped with cheese

    Ground beef is mixed with a packet of Italian dressing mix for flavor and then panko bread crumbs and milk are mixed as a panade to keep your meatloaf tender and moist. It is all topped with a jar of marinara sauce and ooey gooey mozzarella cheese.

    If you are looking for a traditional meatloaf recipe these Easy Meatloaf Muffin Cups are amazing!!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Ground Beef
    2 How to Make Italian Meatloaf
    3 Freezing
    4 Serving & Side Dishes
    5 More Italian Style Recipes
    6 Did you make this recipe?!
    7 Italian Meatloaf Recipe

    Ground Beef

    I recommend using an 85/15 ground beef for this recipe. It has enough fat to give you flavor and great texture. However it isn’t so fatty that you will end up with a greasy mess!

    85 15 ground beef

    I also HIGHLY recommend using ground beef that has been freshly ground or is packaged in “ribbons” see the photo above. This is not the time to use the tube of ground beef or even the cube of ground beef which is usually compressed too tightly and will not yield tender texture.

    How to Make Italian Meatloaf

    Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Also grab out a 9×13 glass baking dish.

    In a mixing bowl combine the ground beef, minced garlic, Italian Dressing Mix, panko bread crumbs, milk, eggs and parmesan cheese. With clean hands lightly mix the meatloaf mixture just until it comes together. Using a light hand will ensure you get a tender meatloaf.

    Italian Meatloaf mixture in a bowl

    Pour about ½ cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the glass baking dish. Dump the meatloaf mixture into the pan. Form into a meatloaf, about 2 ½ inches tall, 6 inches wide and about 11 inches long.

    Pour the remaining marinara over the top. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

    Marinara covering Italian meatloaf in a baking dish
    Cooked italian meatloaf that hasn't been covered in cheese yet
    Uncooked and cooked without cheese

    Uncover the pan and sprinkle on the 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes.

    Italian Meatloaf in a baking dish covered in marinara and cheese
    Italian Meatloaf

    When the meatloaf is done it should read 165 degrees in the center with an instant read thermometer.

    Freezing

    You can cook, cool and then freeze the meatloaf so you have it for another time or so that you can take it as a meal train dinner!

    If you plan to freeze the whole Italian Meatloaf, leave the mozzarella off until you thaw for reheating:

    Italian meatloaf

    Cook the meatloaf so that it is done to 165 degrees at the center. Cool completely and then store in the freezer, in a freezer safe container, for up to 3 months.

    To reheat and serve let the frozen meatloaf thaw in the fridge overnight. Cook in a 350 degree oven until it is heated through, then top with mozzarella and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

    Serving & Side Dishes

    Slice and serve with some extra marinara drizzled over top.

    It is great served with pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes or mascarpone pasta and a big Italian Salad or Green Beans!

    Italian Meatloaf dinner served on white plates with spaghettini and green beans
    Italian Meatloaf Dinner

    More Italian Style Recipes

    • Italian Meatballs in a Marinara Sauce
      Very Best Baked Italian Meatballs
    • penne coated with a mascarpone sauce topped with parsley
      Mascarpone Pasta
    • Marinated Chicken Spiedini with Amogio

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    Italian Meatloaf in a pan, with one slice cut

    Italian Meatloaf Recipe

    An easy recipe for Italian flavored meatloaf. It has all the flavors of your favorite Italian meatballs. Makes a great entree for an Italian dinner!
    4.94 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 519kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs 85/15 ground beef recommend using fresh ground or "ribbon" style packaged ground beef for the best texture. See notes.
    • 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
    • .7 oz packet of Italian Dressing Mix I use Good Seasonings brand
    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • ⅓ cup milk
    • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
    • ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
    • 24 oz jarred marinara
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
    Text me the recipe link & ingredients!
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400°
    • In a large bowl, with clean hands, lightly mix together the 2 lbs ground beef, 2 minced garlic cloves, .7 oz packet of Italian Dressing Mix, 1 cup panko bread crumbs, ⅓ cup milk, 2 lightly beaten eggs, ½ cup parmesan cheese.
      Do not overmix the meatloaf mixture or it will have a tough texture.
    • In a 9×13 glass casserole pan pour about ½ cup marinara sauce onto the bottom of the pan. Dump the Italian meatloaf mixture out into the pan and shape into a meatloaf, about 2 ½ inch tall, 6 inches wide and about 11 inches long (roughly)
    • Pour the rest of the jarred marinara over the meatloaf. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
    • Remove the foil and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, bake uncovered for another 10 minutes. The center of the meatloaf should read 165 degrees with an instant thermometer.
      1 cup shredded mozzarella
    • Let cool for about 5 minutes and then slice and serve!

    Notes:

    Freezing your Italian Meatloaf:
    You can freeze leftover cooked meatloaf. Keep in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. To serve thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat at 350 degrees until it is warmed through. 
    If you plan to freeze the whole meatloaf leave the mozzarella off until you thaw and reheat:
    To reheat and serve a whole meatloaf let the frozen meatloaf thaw in the fridge overnight. Cook in a 350 degree oven until it is heated through, then top with mozzarella and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
     
    “Ribbon” style packaged ground beef: 85 15 ground beef
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 1334mg | Potassium: 869mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 784IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 5mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rc

      March 05, 2023 at 8:55 pm

      4 stars
      I made the meatloaf using 1 pound italian sausage,1 pound ground beef. Turned out good.

      Reply
    2. ej

      February 20, 2023 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      best meatloaf I ever made, so easy too. winner winner meatloaf dinner.

      Reply
    3. Robin

      February 14, 2023 at 8:50 pm

      This was.delicious. I added ground mild Italian sausage because I didn’t have enough ground beef. Definitely will make again. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
    4. Deb Garbenis

      October 18, 2022 at 4:15 pm

      I’ve made this for many years. By adding roughly chopped bell peppers and Vidalia onions and sometimes mushrooms over the top of the loaf, but under the narinara! . .it kicks it up a notch! I will fill the middle with cheese as well. We serve over egg noodles. A family favorite!

      Reply
    5. Nona Dutton

      January 27, 2022 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      Easy recipe that turned out great.

      Reply
    6. Jennifer Forte

      December 04, 2021 at 7:51 am

      Can you use italian breadcrumbs instead of panko??

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        December 04, 2021 at 10:56 am

        You are making a panade so you would be better off using 1 cup of bread torn into pieces, mix it with the milk and then with clean hands or a fork mash it together. You can use sandwich bread, French loaf, ciabatta, sour dough. The traditional Italian bread crumbs might be too fine and end up more like a paste than a panade.

        Reply
      • Christine Stewart

        June 05, 2022 at 3:41 am

        Best is to break up a couple pics of white bread and zuzh in your kitchen prep machine. You get wonderfully soft breadcrumbs.

        Reply
    7. Barbara

      March 25, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      How would you deliver this for a meal train? Our office will be sending several meals to a co-workers family. Would you send this uncooked with instructions or would you cook it with reheating instructions? Asking for meatloaf, Shepherd’s pie or any casserole. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        March 26, 2021 at 8:49 am

        I would send it cooked but without the cheese, send the shredded cheese in a separate baggie. Include reheating instructions (using the cheese during reheating)… 350 degrees, 20 minutes, add cheese on top, bake 10 more minutes.
        Alternately they could cut slices, sprinkle with cheese and microwave, especially if they are not going to eat the whole meatloaf in one sitting.

        My Meatloaf Muffin Cups could be a good option too.

        Best- Susie

        Reply
    8. Jeanette

      March 22, 2021 at 6:28 pm

      Very good! The hubby was in doubt-turned off of meatloaf since his mom made it frequently with loads of green pepper. He loves italian food so I had to try, and so glad I did. He enjoyed it as did my 18 & 20 year old vacuum cleaners, I mean sons 🤣. Only issue was I used 80/20 ground beef so a lot of oil/grease then the cheese added its own, but nonetheless very tasty. Next time I will use a leaner beef.

      Reply
    9. Carrie

      December 18, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      Can I use leaner ground beef 95/5 or ground turkey for this recipe?

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        December 19, 2020 at 7:20 am

        Absolutely!

        Reply
    10. Bobbe Miller

      December 10, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy and yummy!

      Reply
    11. Bob

      December 05, 2020 at 6:28 am

      What would be the instructions for cutting it in half. Serving only two people.

      Reply
      • Susie

        December 05, 2020 at 8:06 am

        Just cut the ingredients in half. Then I would cut the cooking time to 45 minutes (although I have not tested that), just make sure it cooks to 165 degrees in the center.
        Alternately you could use all the ingredients, but make TWO smaller meatloafs and then freeze one for later?!

        Reply
    12. Sirkka

      November 14, 2020 at 5:16 pm

      This was easy and very tasty. I love cooking shortcuts especially when they taste like a lot more effort was made. (Thank you!) Instead of a meatloaf, I shaped 14 huge meatballs and packed the pan with marinara and cheese like instructed. Served it with Alfredo tortellini. We weren’t counting calories that day. LOL.

      Reply
    13. Laura

      October 26, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Meatloaf can be a little problematic at my house; I think that it’s just not meatloaf without onions, but my picky eater won’t touch onions. I was craving meatloaf so searched for a recipe without onions and found this one. Success! We all love it! Picky eater proclaimed it a giant meatball and ate two huge helpings. I found that the dressing mix gave it fantastic flavor. Have pinned this and it’s going into the regular rotation. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    14. Kathy Peterson

      May 16, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight. Delicious!!! And so frigging easy❤️❤️❤️❤️

      Reply
      • Susie

        May 17, 2020 at 4:26 pm

        Awesome!!! Thank you, Kathy!

        Reply

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